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ESL forum >
Grammar and Linguistics > If I were you...
If I were you...
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andreaewa
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If I were you...
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As I can see today you are having fun with grammar so my question is: Do you know why we should use were after the pronoun I in the if sentences?
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23 Jan 2009
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xiles31
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Hi! I found a pretty good explanation here about the use of subjunctive: http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/061.html
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23 Jan 2009
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MissMelissa12
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I shall say that we should use ��I were �� because it is the subjunctive way of the verb TO BE when talking about hipothetical situations (unreal situations, desires)
If I were a butterfly (But Iam not a butterfly), I would fly away to where you are now.
(hipotethical condition) (imaginary result)
Comparing it to Spanish ( as I see you are from Uruguay) it is the same as using the conditionals : Si yo fuera una mariposa ( condicion ireal)...
I hope I made sense my dear!!!
Miss Melissa.  |
23 Jan 2009
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gaby_mn
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"According to traditional thought, statements about the conditional future such as �If I were a carpenter . . .� require the subjunctive �were�; but �was� is certainly much more common. Still, if you want to impress those in the know with your usage, use �were� when writing of something hypothetical, unlikely, or contrary to fact. "
In other words, both are correct, but WERE sounds much more sophisticated  |
23 Jan 2009
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