Question (English Usage)

[nq:1]Does one say: (i) Even if it WERE true... or (ii) Even it WAS true...[/nq]
Either is acceptable. Traditionally, a supposition following "if" used the subjunctive form "were", but "was" is now more commonly used.
[nq:1]Also, Does one say: (i) For HE who wishes to escape death and corruption there is but one sole option... or (ii) For HIM who wishes to escape death and corruption there

[nq:1]Does one say: (i) Even if it WERE true... or (ii) Even it WAS true...[/nq]
Both are possible, but the second is more informal (and possibly also less common).
[nq:1]Also, Does one say: (i) For HE who wishes to escape death and corruption there is but one sole option... or (ii) For HIM who wishes to escape death and corruption there is but one sole option...[/nq]
The second is the

Tojo Hoki wrote on 30 Oct 2004:
[nq:1]Does one say: (i) Even if it WERE true... or (ii) Even it WAS true...[/nq]
This "one" says only the first when speaking of something hypothetically, and only the second when "it" used to be true but is no longer. Despite what anyone else may say about these two usages, they mean different things in English, even if most native speakers cannot or do not

[nq:1]Does one say: (i) Even if it WERE true...[/nq]
Contrary to fact. Speaker is thinking: "which was not possible, it simply could not have been true, but pretend for the moment that it WAS..." Classic example: "If I were you..." (which of course I am not, but pretend I was, for a minute..."
[nq:1]or (ii) Even it WAS true...[/nq]
Allows for possibility of truth. Speaker is thinking,

John Hall filted:
[nq:1]Strictly speaking, "one sole option" is tautologous. It would be better to say "there is but one option".[/nq]
I hope it's not fried...grilled sole is much tastier..r

[nq:1]Does one say: (i) Even if it WERE true...[/nq]
This is present tense, and implies that =it= is not true, and following this is a hypothetical consequence of =it= being true.
[nq:1](ii) Even (if) it WAS true...[/nq]
This is past tense, and is the equivalent of saying, "Even though it was true...", followed by something that happened despite =it= being true.
[nq:1](i) For HE wh

[nq:1]Does one say: (i) Even if it WERE true...[/nq]
I wouldn't think badly of him.
[nq:1]or (ii) Even it WAS true...[/nq]
it is true no longer.
[nq:1]Also, Does one say: (i) For HE who wishes to escape death and corruption there is but one sole option... or (ii) For HIM who wishes to escape death and corruption there is but one sole option...[/nq]
Neither, but the second is be

[nq:2]Does one say: (i) Even if it WERE true...[/nq]
[nq:1]This is present tense, and implies that =it= is not true, and following this is a hypothetical consequence of =it= being true.[/nq]
This isn't the present tense - it's a subjunctive (often called the past subjunctive because of its form). But the interpretation is correct.
Regards, Einde O'Callaghan

Even if it WERE true
For HIM who wishes to escape death and corruption
there is but one sole option...

} John Hall filted:
}>
}>Strictly speaking, "one sole option" is tautologous. It would be better }>to say "there is but one option".
}
} I hope it's not fried...grilled sole is much tastier..r

Another sole option is to cook microwave it.

R. J. Valentine