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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Is there were one thing vs. If there was one thing
Greetings! I'm a little confused about the difference between the two phrases. Do they mean the same thing?
Ex: If there was one thing he couldn't forget, it was his his failures.
vs.
If there were one thing he couldn't forget, it was his failures.
Do we always use 'were' when combined with "if?"
Ex: If there was one thing he couldn't forget, it was his his failures.
vs.
If there were one thing he couldn't forget, it was his failures.
Do we always use 'were' when combined with "if?"
Top answer
" No. Look at the other clause. It does not contain would .
- " No.
- Look at the other clause.
- It does not contain would .
- So there is no need for the subjunctive were .
- You can have an if -clause in the past (indicative) and the main clause also in the past (indicative).
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4 Answers
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AnonymousDo we always use 'were' when combined with "if?"No. Look at the other clause. It does not contain would. So there is no need for the subjunctive were. You can have an if-clause in the past (indicative) and the main clause also in the past (indicative).
If he was happy, she was happy too.
If Alan was in a bad mood
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To me, "were" seems awkward in this sentence. I prefer "was", but I'm not exactly sure why. Google Book Search results:
640 on "If there were one thing"
1,710 on "If there was one thing"
However, I'm increasingly dubious about how meaningful these Google stats actually are.
640 on "If there were one thing"
1,710 on "If there was one thing"
However, I'm increasingly dubious about how meaningful these Google stats actually are.
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What if you are referring to the possible existence of a thing?
"If there were one unicorn, then all of those myths would be read differently."
"If there were one unicorn, then all of those myths would be read differently."
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