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Usenet Posted 16 years ago
Usage
Was-ere
I was wondering if it was convenient for you for me to pick the item up in person.
I was wondering if it were convenient for you for me to pick the item up in person.
Normally, I would use "were" after if. I'm not sure here.
Posters should say where they live, and for which area they are asking questions. I was born and then lived in Western Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis 7 years
Chicago 6 years
Brooklyn, NY 12 years
Baltimore 26 years
I was wondering if it were convenient for you for me to pick the item up in person.
Normally, I would use "were" after if. I'm not sure here.
Posters should say where they live, and for which area they are asking questions. I was born and then lived in Western Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis 7 years
Chicago 6 years
Brooklyn, NY 12 years
Baltimore 26 years
Top answer
[nq:1]I was wondering if it was convenient for you for me to pick the item up in person. I was ... for me to pick the item up in person.
- [nq:1]I was wondering if it was convenient for you for me to pick the item up in person.
- I was ...
- for me to pick the item up in person.
- Normally, I would use "were" after if.
- [/nq] You could use "would be" instead of "were" or "was".
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7 Answers
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[nq:1]I was wondering if it was convenient for you for me to pick the item up in person. I was ... for me to pick the item up in person. Normally, I would use "were" after if. I'm not sure here.[/nq]
You could use "would be" instead of "were" or "was". I was wondering if it would be convenient for you for me to pick the item up in person.
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.english.usage)
You could use "would be" instead of "were" or "was". I was wondering if it would be convenient for you for me to pick the item up in person.
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.english.usage)
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[nq:1]I was wondering if it was convenient for you for me to pick the item up in person. I was ... for me to pick the item up in person. Normally, I would use "were" after if. I'm not sure here.[/nq]
"Were" is the subjunctive and indicates either a wish or a statement contrary to fact, for example, "If I were king". Use "was" in your sentence.
Bill in Kentucky
"Were" is the subjunctive and indicates either a wish or a statement contrary to fact, for example, "If I were king". Use "was" in your sentence.
Bill in Kentucky
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[nq:1]I was wondering if it was convenient for you for me to pick the item up in person. I was ... for me to pick the item up in person. Normally, I would use "were" after if. I'm not sure here.[/nq]
The sentence is an example of the "optative" subjunctive, which represents the utterance as something desired or planned. Remember that in the subjunctive mood, tenses do not have the simple temp
The sentence is an example of the "optative" subjunctive, which represents the utterance as something desired or planned. Remember that in the subjunctive mood, tenses do not have the simple temp
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[nq:2]I was wondering if it was convenient for you for ... I would use "were" after if. I'm not sure here.[/nq]
[nq:1]"Were" is the subjunctive and indicates either a wish or a statement contrary to fact, for example, "If I were king". Use "was" in your sentence.[/nq]
The subjunctive also expreses uncertainty, which applies here, unless the "if it was/were" is only there for courtesy, it b
[nq:1]"Were" is the subjunctive and indicates either a wish or a statement contrary to fact, for example, "If I were king". Use "was" in your sentence.[/nq]
The subjunctive also expreses uncertainty, which applies here, unless the "if it was/were" is only there for courtesy, it b
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[nq:1]I was wondering if it was convenient for you for me to pick the item up in person. I was ... for me to pick the item up in person. Normally, I would use "were" after if. I'm not sure here.[/nq]
It looks to me like simple indirect speech. What you were saying to yourself is "Is it convenient ...?". I am wondering if it is convenient; I was wondering if it was convenient. Peter's "if it wo
It looks to me like simple indirect speech. What you were saying to yourself is "Is it convenient ...?". I am wondering if it is convenient; I was wondering if it was convenient. Peter's "if it wo
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[nq:2]I was wondering if it was convenient for you for ... I would use "were" after if. I'm not sure here.[/nq]
[nq:1]The sentence is an example of the "optative" subjunctive, which represents the utterance as something desired or planned. Remember that ... up in person. The past-tense form suggests modest expression of desire. (Compare "I wish you would stay a little longer.")[/nq]
Isn't
[nq:1]The sentence is an example of the "optative" subjunctive, which represents the utterance as something desired or planned. Remember that ... up in person. The past-tense form suggests modest expression of desire. (Compare "I wish you would stay a little longer.")[/nq]
Isn't
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[nq:1]Isn't the subjunctive present progressive, "I wish you be staying a little longer."?[/nq]
No. I suppose it would be "I wish you would be staying a little longer."
Cordially,
Eric Walker, Owlcroft House
No. I suppose it would be "I wish you would be staying a little longer."
Cordially,
Eric Walker, Owlcroft House
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