2006-11-17 06:58:55 · 14 answers · asked by elephant 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
if I were a minister
2006-11-17 07:10:16 · answer #1 · answered by norsmen 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If I were a minister---- is correct.
When you make "if" statements and you are speaking about
something that is not true (you are not a minister), you use the subjunctive mood and "was" becomes "were".
P.S. As some have pointed out, in cases where the "if" statement may actually be true, use was.
Example: If I was rude to you--- In this case, I may actually have been rude to you; I'm not sure, but it is possible, so use "was".
In the case given it is clear that you were not a minister and we can safely assume that.
Those posters who are so drunk that they are not sure whether
or not they are so ordained---well you guys should stay on the safe side and use "was".
2006-11-17 15:06:09 · answer #2 · answered by True Blue 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If I was a minister is an odd way of saying.. in the past.. I was a minister...
If I were a minister.. is a hypothetical case of If I were to become a minister
2006-11-17 15:21:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
If i were a minister is the correct one.
2006-11-17 15:13:26 · answer #4 · answered by Phy A 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Were a Minister. were is if you could be.
Was is you were a Minister.
2006-11-17 15:04:29 · answer #5 · answered by StarShine G 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If I were a Minister. This is a classic example of the rarely used subjunctive in English, that is compared to languages such as French and Spanish.
2006-11-17 15:02:55 · answer #6 · answered by theothompkin 1 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If I were a minister
2006-11-17 15:01:20 · answer #7 · answered by beach bum 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If I were a minister is correct, as you are using the conditional tense; it's not definitely going to happen, it's something that might happen
2006-11-17 15:02:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 2⤋
Both. subjunctive vs. factual
"If I were a minister, I would work in a church."
"If I was a minister once, it's news to me. I'm too drunk to remember (hiccup!)."
See?
2006-11-17 15:19:13 · answer #9 · answered by Lightbringer 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the right one is : IF I WERE A MINISTER
2006-11-17 15:29:47 · answer #10 · answered by vilandra89 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋