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Believer Posted 20 years ago
Grammar

the overuse of "weres"

0I have this dwelling thought that we use "WEREs" too often like here,02br
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01i00If I were the author, I will write like this. 02i02br
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00We were taught to use the basic forms:02br
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00I was02br
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00You were02br
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00S/he was02br
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00Are we not too freely dispensing "WEREs" without regard for pragmatic implications of its overuse?02br
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00Kindly go over the reasons behind the "were" use? for the greater effect? 0-
  

Top answer

0Please see 05002br 02br 00This type of use of 'were' occurs during the 'subjunctive' - a way to express a hypothetical situation. Your example above should read: If I were the author, I would write like this'. You are not the author but you are saying what you would do if you were the author.

  • 0Please see 05002br 02br 00This type of use of 'were' occurs during the 'subjunctive' - a way to express a hypothetical situation.
  • Your example above should read: If I were the author, I would write like this'.
  • You are not the author but you are saying what you would do if you were the author.
  • 040pid176139
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5 Answers
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0Please see 05002br
02br
00This type of use of 'were' occurs during the 'subjunctive' - a way to express a hypothetical situation. Your example above should read: If I were the author, I would write like this'. You are not the author but you are saying what you would do if you were the author. 040pid176139
0
0Thank you, but I saw in many writings where the subjunctives were used with "will," not with "would + verb." 02br
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01i00I01u00 will02u00 ride around in a dimond-studded balloon, if I 01u00were02u00 extremely rich. 02i02br
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00Are you saying that if one uses "will," then it is an 01u
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0Hello Believer02br
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00In this example, "will" certainly sounds a little odd. I would change it to "would", if I were you!02br
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00MrP0-
0
0Thank you.02br
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00If you were me, I think you would change it to "would" 01u00too 02u00but not necessary will change it to "would" though.02br
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00Is the "too" OK in this sentence? Maybe better if changed it to the "also"? 0-
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0Hello Anon02br
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00"Too" is fine.02br
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00MrP0-

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