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Believer Posted 19 years ago
Grammar
variation ofType 2 conditional vs. sujunctive
0 Hi, 02 br
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00 According to Longman English Grammar by L.G. Alexander in its Section 14.13.1, it is noted: 02 br
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01 i 00 Were 02 i 00 can be used in place of 01 i 00 was 02 i 00 after 01 i 00 If I/he/she/it 02 i 00 . There is not difference in meaning, but 01 i 00 were 02 i 00 is more formal, particularly when we are making doubtful statements. 02 br
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00 And in Practical English Usage by Swan, it had these sentences: 02 br
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00 If it wasn't/weren't for his wife's money he'd never be a director. 02 br
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00 If the boss was/were to come in now we'd be in real trouble. 02 br
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00 Would the sentences above be better written if they were written with 'weres'? 02 br
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00 I think it something is making a doubtful statement, it is likely that it is in the subjunctive mood and the verb form of the main clause should be adjusted to reflect that, but sometimes, I am not sure whether something is making something doubtful. Do you have some good pointers? 0-
02 br
00 According to Longman English Grammar by L.G. Alexander in its Section 14.13.1, it is noted: 02 br
02 br
01 i 00 Were 02 i 00 can be used in place of 01 i 00 was 02 i 00 after 01 i 00 If I/he/she/it 02 i 00 . There is not difference in meaning, but 01 i 00 were 02 i 00 is more formal, particularly when we are making doubtful statements. 02 br
02 br
00 And in Practical English Usage by Swan, it had these sentences: 02 br
02 br
00 If it wasn't/weren't for his wife's money he'd never be a director. 02 br
02 br
00 If the boss was/were to come in now we'd be in real trouble. 02 br
02 br
00 Would the sentences above be better written if they were written with 'weres'? 02 br
02 br
00 I think it something is making a doubtful statement, it is likely that it is in the subjunctive mood and the verb form of the main clause should be adjusted to reflect that, but sometimes, I am not sure whether something is making something doubtful. Do you have some good pointers? 0-
Top answer
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6 Answers
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0 Hi Believer, 02 br
00 it is always the same old question, was vs were, isn't it? Don 't worry, learners keep asking this questions and will always ask as long as there are grammarians confusing matters. 02 br
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00 There is no answer to that question, it's a matter of preference, regional usage, cultural background, age, etc. So the only thing I can say is that bot
00 it is always the same old question, was vs were, isn't it? Don 't worry, learners keep asking this questions and will always ask as long as there are grammarians confusing matters. 02 br
02 br
00 There is no answer to that question, it's a matter of preference, regional usage, cultural background, age, etc. So the only thing I can say is that bot
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0 Hi Kooyen 02 br
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00 However, you'd better use "were" on English tests, exams, etc., because I heard that if you used "was" some people would start to cry (and would consider it a mistake) 05 0 02 br
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01 b 00 You're right. A lot of people don't know 'was' is acceptable, so they will think it is a mistake. 02 br
02 b 010id 5
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00 However, you'd better use "were" on English tests, exams, etc., because I heard that if you used "was" some people would start to cry (and would consider it a mistake) 05 0 02 br
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01 b 00 You're right. A lot of people don't know 'was' is acceptable, so they will think it is a mistake. 02 br
02 b 010id 5
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0 01 blockquote
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00 But sometimes I make myself cry! (Sometimes I use "was" in that situation!) 05 1 02 br
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00 CJ 010id 911id 1
00 I heard that if you used "was" some people would start to cry 12 blockquote10 And what bitter tears I myself have shed over this! It's so sad. 05 0 02 br
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00 But sometimes I make myself cry! (Sometimes I use "was" in that situation!) 05 1 02 br
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00 CJ 010id 911id 1
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0 Thank you, CalifJim. 02 br
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00 Your 'crying' emoticon seems to be forever crying -- my sympathy goes with you. 02 br
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00 Can you or other knowledgeable persons tell me what kind of statement are these sentences making? Are they showing a sense of doubt? My understanding is that if a context of a sentence exhibits doubtful nature, then the subjuctive moo
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00 Your 'crying' emoticon seems to be forever crying -- my sympathy goes with you. 02 br
02 br
00 Can you or other knowledgeable persons tell me what kind of statement are these sentences making? Are they showing a sense of doubt? My understanding is that if a context of a sentence exhibits doubtful nature, then the subjuctive moo
00
0 01 blockquote
01 cite 10 Believer 12 cite 10 1. If it wasn't/weren't for his wife's money he'd never be a director. 12 br
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10 2. If the boss was/were to come in now, we'd be in real trouble. 12 br
11 b 10 #1 means that he has become a director because his wife has the money. 12 b 12 br
11 b 10 #2 means t
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