Subjunctive

Question

If I was to visit you tonight, I will bring a bottle of wine.

This statement is not exactly saying it's out of the question; thus, I may be visiting you. 'Was' or 'were' in this one?

Can anybody give a few example sentences when 'was' would be definitely used instead of 'were'?

Thanks.

CalifJim · Accepted Answer

homerfarmsbyIf I was to visit you tonight, I will bring a bottle of wine.

No.

If I were to visit you tonight, I would bring a bottle of wine.
or
If I visit you tonight I'll (I will) bring a bottle of wine.

homerfarmsbyexample sentences when 'was' would be definitely used instead of 'were'?

That happens when both clauses are in the past. (No would.)

If Ken was there, he got the message.
If I wasn't the one who took the money, who was?
If I was not busy at work, I used to play games on the computer.
If no one was there to save them when they fell into the ocean, they probably drowned.
If, as you say, Lucy was the first to answer the question correctly, then she won the prize.
If Frieda was killed on Thursday, Faulkberg didn't kill her, because he was in Europe that day.

CJ

Subjunctive

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions