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When to use 'were' vs. 'was'

When to use 'were' vs. 'was'

When to use 'were' vs. 'was'

(OP)
Hey folks,

What are the rules and how do you know which verb to use, were or was?

The following two sentences both sound correct to me, but as far as which one is correct, I don't know.

If I were a doctor, maybe I could afford a Lamborghini.
If I was a doctor, maybe I could afford a Lamborghini.

Thanks in advance for your help.

NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas

RE: When to use 'were' vs. 'was'

That is know as the subjunctive, and 'were' is correct.

Good Luck
--------------
As a circle of light increases so does the circumference of darkness around it. - Albert Einstein

RE: When to use 'were' vs. 'was'

(OP)
CajunCenturion,

Thanks for your reply!

I looked up subjunctive on the net and found some discussion and examples. WOW! We never got that deep into English when I was in school, or if we did, I don't remember.

I read the discussion and examples. I hear what they're saying and see what they are talking about but don't understand it. They said subjunctive is dying out of modern English, but from the examples they give, that's hard to believe. In any case what would be the alternative?

NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas

RE: When to use 'were' vs. 'was'

NozzleTwister,
You’re not alone.  I didn't learn about the subjunctive in English either. I learned about it when I took Italian in college.  If I remember correctly, in Italian the subjunctive is a verb inflection; in English, it is a mood… I guess it may be dying out in favor of the conditional (could/would).  The attached link gives a good account of the subjunctive mood.

http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/grammarlogs/grammarlogs6.htm#4

RE: When to use 'were' vs. 'was'

All I know about English grammar I learned while studying other languages, including and possibly beginning with subjunctive.

My daughter teaches Spanish at the university level and makes the same observation about having to teach her students English so they can learn Spanish.  She teaches her english as first language students subjunctive and conditional cases as a matter of course.

rmw

RE: When to use 'were' vs. 'was'

(OP)
To all,

Thanks for your replys, y'all have been extremely helpful.

NozzleTwister
Houston, Texas

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