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SJ88 Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
subjunctives (sequence of moods)
Hi, i just read that Fowler says that its more correct to say, " If i were to say that i was wrong", rather than "if i were to say that i were wrong". why is that so?
similarly, do i say, " even if i knew where he were", or "even if i knew where he was", when i'm referring to the current location of the said "he"?
Thanks so much for your help in advance.
similarly, do i say, " even if i knew where he were", or "even if i knew where he was", when i'm referring to the current location of the said "he"?
Thanks so much for your help in advance.
Top answer
It's simply logical. " You don't need doubling "were" up.
- It's simply logical.
- " You don't need doubling "were" up.
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15 Answers
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It's simply logical.
The doubt is only about "I am saying or not saying," not about "I was wrong." You don't need doubling "were" up.
The doubt is only about "I am saying or not saying," not about "I was wrong." You don't need doubling "were" up.
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even if i knew where he is
is my choice for his present location
but I think many would use "he was"
is my choice for his present location
but I think many would use "he was"
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but shouldnt you keep in line with the conditional aspect of the sentence?
Eg.: If i were a millionaire, i WOULD...
If only he knew that you and I WERE brothers...
Eg.: If i were a millionaire, i WOULD...
If only he knew that you and I WERE brothers...
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Marius Hancu,
One more thing. Since you said that it isnt necessary to double "were", then shouldnt it read, " If i were to say that i am wrong"?
One more thing. Since you said that it isnt necessary to double "were", then shouldnt it read, " If i were to say that i am wrong"?
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SJ88but shouldnt you keep in line with the conditional aspect of the sentence?
Eg.: If I were a millionaire, I WOULD...
fine (because you're making a hypothesis about what you would do in that case)
If only he knew that you and I WERE brothers...
use are, IMO, there are
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SJ88Marius Hancu,Both am/was work, depending on the time of being wrong.
One more thing. Since you said that it isnt necessary to double "were", then shouldnt it read, " If i were to say that i am wrong"?
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Marius Hancueven if i knew where he isFor concordance with the imperfect subjunctive you need the simple past tense (was).
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Hey SJ88,
you are right, you don't need two subjunctives. Example:
If I was/were a rich girl, I'd be like Gwen Stefani. <--- here both are used
If she knew I was here with you, she would definitely get mad at me! <--- but here it's was, not were.
Don't ask me why, it's just the way natives speak, lol.
you are right, you don't need two subjunctives. Example:
If I was/were a rich girl, I'd be like Gwen Stefani. <--- here both are used
If she knew I was here with you, she would definitely get mad at me! <--- but here it's was, not were.
Don't ask me why, it's just the way natives speak, lol.
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KooyeenDon't ask me why, it's just the way natives speakIt's because it is a fact (not a possibility).
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