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English 1b3 Posted 16 years ago
Grammar

Which verb for these tricky conditionals?

If I wished I was/were a boss (which would be a waste of time since I am a boss), I'd spend too time and money by the wishing pond.

Because 'wished' here is past subjunctive, unreal second conditional, should this mean that 'was a boss' is correct and 'were a boss is not', since the wishing is hypothetical and not actually happening?

And what about this:

If I wish I was/were/am a boss (which would be a waste of time since I am a boss), I'll spend too time and money by the wishing pond.

Because the wishing is likely to happen, should this mean 'were' is used, even though he is a boss--which makes it non-hypothetical (were)?

Thanks
  

Top answer

The verb wish has certain idiomatic uses that don't always conform to our expectations. The forms you want are these, regardless of what's hypothetical and what isn't. Don't obsess about this "hypothetical" decision.

— CalifJim

  • The verb wish has certain idiomatic uses that don't always conform to our expectations.
  • The forms you want are these, regardless of what's hypothetical and what isn't.
  • Don't obsess about this "hypothetical" decision.
  • You'll get analysis paralysis.
  • Wishing is by its nature hypothetical.
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8 Answers
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The verb wish has certain idiomatic uses that don't always conform to our expectations. The forms you want are these, regardless of what's hypothetical and what isn't. Don't obsess about this "hypothetical" decision. You'll get analysis paralysis. Wishing is by its nature hypothetical.

If I wish to be a ..., I will ... [First Conditional]

If I
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Thanks, so it's

If I wish to be a boss, I will spend too much time and money by the wishing pond.

If I wished I were a boss, I would spend too much time and money by the wishing pond.
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Thanks. Could you please answer this about the subjunctive. There seems to be no agreement with this discussion on other forums.

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That was a discussion on the use of "as though" (or "as if"). Here's my opinion.

After those expressions it doesn't matter which tense you use -- but not the present subjunctive! The indicative is very common. Just don't put a present tense in the subordinate clause if the main clause is in the past.

Karen acted [as though / as if] she [was / were] lying.
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Thanks, CJ.


It's always good to hear your views and another opinion. A good site has a different view on it and decides to use the subjunctive when it's hypothetical and indicative when it's not:

AS IF, AS THOUGH

      Clauses that start with
as if/as though
        express doubt or uncertainty if they are followed by an
        unrealt
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He looks as if he knows the answer. (= He seems to know the answer, and he probably does.)
He looks as if he knew the answer. (= He seems to know the answer, but he doesn't.)
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Just for the record: This explanation leaves me cold.
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CalifJimHe looks as if he knows the answer. (= He seems to know the answer, and he probably does.)
He looks as if he knew the answer. (= He seems to know the answer, but he doesn't.)


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Just for the record: This explanation leaves me cold.
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