SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD

Welcome!

DiligencePlease analyse these two sentences for me:

1. If I were he I would have written the essay yesterday. (he)

2. If I were him I would have written the essay yesterday. (him)

I am not sure what you mean by "analyse".

Most people, including me, would use "him", as it i

After forms of to be, both can be used. He is very formal, though, and seldom used in conversation. To be is an intransitive verb and thus cannot take an object.

CB

Cool BreezeTo be is an intransitive verb and thus cannot take an object. ??

She is the teacher.

Who was Tom in the play?

I want to be the goalie.

Those are complements, not objects.

I'd say "him" also, though. "If I were he" sounds so very formal that you are likely to have your words receive more attention than your message.

Hi,

I read the two sentences and I have this question: can I replace "If I were him" with "If I had been him" ???

Thanks

Pamela

Pamela81can I replace "If I were him" with "If I had been him"

Yes, if you want to talk about the past, but then would becomes would have.

If I were him (now), I would reconsider the offer.

If I had been him (at that time), I would have reconsidered the offer.

CJ

Oh, I see. The original had would have.

Grammar GeekThose are complements, not objects.
0kay, is that what the powers that be decided to call them, even though "him" is an object pronoun?

Are the following underlined also subject complements?

I am tall.

I am tall Bob. (not 'short Bob')

c45