Was or Were in Subjunctive "If" clauses
Do these sentences take "if it was" or "if it were"? Shouldn't the grammatically correct option be "If it were"?
If it wasn't for her, he'd be lost.
It would be just a one day trip, if it wasn't for the drive to the train station.
If it wasn't for the beating of his heart or his strained breathing, she'd think him dead.
Top answer
Many years ago, the subjunctive was used much more than now, and your sentences would have been grammatically unacceptable. However, the subjunctive is gradually disappearing, following the decrease in inflected forms. These days, your sentences are acceptable except in very formal contexts.
- Many years ago, the subjunctive was used much more than now, and your sentences would have been grammatically unacceptable.
- However, the subjunctive is gradually disappearing, following the decrease in inflected forms.
- These days, your sentences are acceptable except in very formal contexts.
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Many years ago, the subjunctive was used much more than now, and your sentences would have been grammatically unacceptable.
However, the subjunctive is gradually disappearing, following the decrease in inflected forms. These days, your sentences are acceptable except in very formal contexts.
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