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Avangi Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Simple past as subjunctive?

Hi,

Some recent threads have destroyed my confidence in some common usages.

If I were to ask you, would you tell me? (no problem)

If I was to ask you, would you tell me? (I don't like it. Is it correct?)

If I asked you, would you tell me? (I'm sure it's correct, but what tense is it?)
(Probably someone has made up a name like "past as future." Emotion: it wasnt me )

Thanks for any light you may shed on these.

- A.
  

Top answer

Avangi If I was to ask you, would you tell me? (I don't like it. ) It depends who you ask.

— CalifJim

  • Avangi If I was to ask you, would you tell me?
  • (I don't like it.
  • ) It depends who you ask.
  • Most prescriptive grammarians say it's not correct.
  • Everybody else recognizes that people do speak that way quite often and therefore accept it.
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5 Answers
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AvangiIf I was to ask you, would you tell me? (I don't like it. Is it correct?)
It depends who you ask. Most prescriptive grammarians say it's not correct. Everybody else recognizes that people do speak that way quite often and therefore accept it.

Personally, I'm inclined to find "If I was to", that is, with a following infinitive, a bit m
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Thank you, Jim - practical and wise. Emotion: smile
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AvangiIf I asked you, would you tell me? (I'm sure it's correct, but what tense is it?)

I think and according to conditional types,it's the second type.If + past simple,would+stem.
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Thanks, ever.

I'm going to have to do some studying and learn my conditionals by the numbers.

It's a very popular subject here. At my age, I'll probably be the last one to master them.

- A.
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