You Know Not What You Have Done
If I Was or If I Were: Easy Guide on Appropriate Utilise
Why practice you say if I were when you would never say I were? And why is it more correct than if I was in some cases? Continue reading to learn when if I were is appropriate – and how to tell if you're using it correctly in the conditional or subjunctive moods.
If I were vs If I was
If I Was vs. If I Were
Many people use if I was and if I were interchangeably to draw a hypothetical situation. The confusion occurs because when writing in the by tense, I was is correct while I were is wrong. However, when writing about non-realistic or hypothetical situations, if I were is the just correct choice.
Fifty-fifty though they look almost identical, if I was and if I were are not interchangeable. The fashion you use them depends on the mood of your sentence. If I were is advisable in the subjunctive mood, while if I was is only acceptable in conditional by-tense sentences. Allow'due south wait further into how to apply the conditional if I were vs. if I was correctly in a sentence.
When to Apply If I Was
You tin can utilise if I was in past-tense, offset-person sentences that draw something the speaker was or has done. The conditional conjunction if indicates that one action in the judgement depends on another. For instance:
- I apologize if I was rude.
- I'll let you know if I was accustomed into the graduate plan.
- The teacher will increase my form if I was correct on the commencement question.
- I'll fix the error if I was mistaken.
The phrase if I was always comes before an describing word phrase that farther describes the speaker. The word was indicates that the situation is likely and realistic. None of these sentences would be correct with if I were.
When to Use If I Were
If yous're trying to describe a hypothetical or doubtful situation, also known equally the subjunctive mood, use if I were. Unlike sentences with if I was, these are cases that are contrary to current fact. Some if I were examples include:
- I bet Henrietta would go out with me if I were taller.
- I would focus on foreign policy if I were the president.
- If I were a millionaire, I'd never piece of work once more.
- I'd vote for the senator if I were sure that he wouldn't enhance taxes.
- If I were more like my sister, I'd have won that scholarship for sure.
These sentences are in both conditional (i action relies on another) and subjunctive (the if I were clause is contrary to fact). You lot could follow each statement with "Merely I'1000 not." This is the easiest way to tell whether you are using if I were correctly.
More About Grammatical Moods
Mood in writing isn't just how the author wants you to feel. A sentence'southward mood indicates the author'southward tone and how they want the reader to receive the message. There are several dissimilar grammatical moods that range from factual statements to commands.
- Indicative: A straightforward statement. (I am going to the dance.)
- Imperative: A control. (Go to the dance.)
- Interrogative: A question. (Are you going to the dance?)
- Provisional: A statement in which one action depends on another event. (I would go to the dance if Brian asked me.)
- Subjunctive: A hypothetical statement. (If I were y'all, I'd go to the dance.)
Each of these types of sentence sends a different message to the listener or reader. Sometimes punctuation helps to set the mood, as does syntax. Merely in cases like the subjunctive or conditional moods, you need to know what verb conjugations and contractions to use.
Conditional vs. Subjunctive Moods
It can be hard to tell the conditional mood and subjunctive mood apart. They both describe situations that may or may not happen. But when yous utilise if I were in a judgement, you're writing in both the conditional and subjunctive moods.
Examples of Sentences in Both Moods
Sentences in the provisional mood include words similar would, could, and should. Take a expect at this example of a sentence in the conditional mood.
I would buy that car if I could afford it.
The speaker is saying that one action (buying a motorcar) depends on some other activity (affording it). The word would indicates that the judgement is in the conditional mood. Only if you change if I was to if I were, the sentence becomes subjunctive:
I would buy that machine if I were richer.
In this case, the conditional action (buying a car) depends on a wishful state of affairs (being richer). The fact that the second clause is unlikely or hypothetical makes the judgement both subjunctive and conditional.
Here are some more sentences that go both conditional and subjunctive with if I were.
- Armin would autumn in love with me if I were more beautiful.
- If I were single, I'd even so alive downtown.
- I would tell you if I were going to the party.
- If I were trapped on a deserted island, I'd bring matches and bottled water.
More Grammer Resource
If in that location are other grammar concepts that misfile you, you lot're in the right place. A helpful article provides examples to clear up the difference between their, at that place, and they're. You can also learn how to use use to vs used to correctly in a sentence.
Source: https://grammar.yourdictionary.com/vs/when-is-it-appropriate-to-use-if-i-were-vs-if-i-was.html
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