If I were a terrorist and I knew of this information, I would certainly use it.
OR
If I was a terrorist and I knew of this information, I would certainly use it.
My natural instinct is to say "were" instead of "was," but my grammar check in MS Word suggests to use "was." Which is correct?
2006-10-27 11:54:48 · 18 answers · asked by Alan G 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
were
were is more conditional
was speaks more to the past, but people with lousy grammar will use was and a grammar checker should be used for warnings only (could be wrong) you still have to decide what goes for the meaning you are trying to convey...
2006-10-27 11:56:37 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
WERE
http://www.bartleby.com/64/C001/061.html
2006-10-27 12:06:56 · answer #2 · answered by Paul 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Depending on the context. "Was" is correct for many native speakers of English in their everyday speech. In a more formal setting, I would write "were".
And don't pay attention to MS Word's grammar check. It's not that great. It always complains about my relative clauses.
2006-10-27 20:04:20 · answer #3 · answered by drshorty 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Use "were" when expressing wishes or ifs. For example, "If I were a rich man . . . " or "I wish I were a rich man." This is called using the subjunctive voice.
2016-07-09 07:54:25 · answer #4 · answered by Patrick 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"were" is correct. This is one of many instances where MS Word does NOT give the correct answer.
2006-10-27 11:56:44 · answer #5 · answered by meatpiemum 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My instincts say that 'was' is the most gramatically correct version - but basically you can use both. whichever sounds best and most natural to you. Grammar is not THAT set in stone.
2006-10-27 11:58:34 · answer #6 · answered by David R 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋
"were" is correct i think...sometimes MS WORD makes mistakes
2006-10-27 11:57:39 · answer #7 · answered by ? 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would go w/ "was"...for example..we were the way we were...it isnt we were the way we was, or we was the way we were, or we was the way we was...ha ha...another example...in this instance you are referring to yourself...I could say "you were a terrorist"...past tense....but I wouldnt say "you was a terrorist" .yet you wouldnt say "I were a terrorist" (in the past tense)...you would say "I was a terrorist" ...therefore...you would say "*If* I was a terrorist" and so on...
2006-10-27 12:04:28 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
"Were" is correct. This is the 'conditional' or subjunctive tense. This is more evident in other languages, but your sentenence is a correct application of it, were you to use "were." :o)
2006-10-27 12:01:13 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
It sounds better with the word "were".
2006-10-27 11:57:09 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋