if i was or if i were

The subjunctive mood, always weak in English, has been dwindling awayfor centuries until it has almost vanished. According to traditionalthought, statements about the conditional future such as “If I were acarpenter . . .” require the subjunctive “were”; but “was” is certainlymuch more common. Still, if you want to impress those in the know withyour usage, use “were” when writing of something hypothetical, unlikely, or contrary to fact. The same goes for other pronouns: “you,” “she,”“he,” and “it.” In the case of the plural pronouns “we” and “they” theform “was” is definitely nonstandard, of course, because it is a singular form.

Facebook Twitter Google +

• standalone vs stand-alone
• error vs err
• acapella vs a capella vs a cappella
• warmongerer vs warmonger
• in route vs en route
• pastorial vs pastoral
• notate vs note
• extend vs extent
• ratio
• stood vs stayed

News & Articles

---

• iTunes Radio Is So Good, I Almost Forgot About Ping
  Opening the music app on an iOS 7 device, I was greeted by iTunes Radio asking if I was ready to try it out. As someone who listens to a lot of music and primarily uses streaming music services, radio has lost its appeal, but my initial intrigue gave way to some overwhelmingly positive first impressions. Pushing buttons and navigating through the radio section of the former "iPod" app ...
  June 18, 2013 - Fast Company Magazine

---

• Read a Book, Not a Magazine
  If I were to ask you about supplements and what they do, would you quote me a Muscle Magazine? Or, would you tell me what your gym buddy said to you during your last chest workout? My point is, instead of reading a magazine, which has an agenda, read a scientific book. Also, instead of quoting your meathead gym buddy, go talk to a professor, or an educated individual in the field. I do not claim ...
  June 26, 2013 - Boston Herald