In this sentence, what word would go in the blank?
If I ___ you, I would....
Was or WERE
***
Is there a grammar rule for this?
2007-02-20 13:26:31 · 12 answers · asked by the cat's pajamas 2 in Education & Reference ➔ Homework Help
"were" is the correct word to use in this sentence.
I don't know if this will help you better understand or not, but I hope it does: "was" is the past verb of "is". For instance..."The house IS being built by ABC Contractors" is being said in the present tense; whereas the past tense would be, "The house WAS built by ABC Contractors."
You wouldn't say, "If I 'is' you"; therefore, you wouldn't say "If I 'was' you."
You might also try using Roget's Thesaurus when you're in doubt. The on-line site is http://thesaurus.reference.com/
2007-02-20 13:45:45 · answer #1 · answered by honeybucket 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If I were--means that I am not you, but... After the word if, you might want to indicate that it is not true, so use were. You don't have to--you could say "If I go," meaning that you actually might do it, or "If I were to go," which puts more doubt into it. "If he is the culprit," is a lot more accusatory than "If he were the culprit," which means you don't think he is, but... If I were you is of course the only way of saying this, since it's obvious that you and I are different people.
2007-02-20 22:54:33 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
WERE!!!!! it's were trust me. here's a tip when you have a blank and you have answer choices. use each of your choices in the blank and see what word makes the best sense.
for example:
If I WERE you, I would...makes more sense and sound grammatically correct as appose to
If i WAS you, i would.....
2007-02-20 21:43:43 · answer #3 · answered by LM_night_REBEL 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
don;t know the rule but were sounds better
2007-02-20 21:34:12 · answer #4 · answered by sam hill 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Were is correct.
When using a supposition (if it were me, if it were true) etc. were is always preferred.
2007-02-20 21:35:21 · answer #5 · answered by piano guy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
were is correct
check this out
http://www.englishclub.com/grammar/verbs-subjunctive.htm
2007-02-20 21:38:01 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
"If I were you..."
It is called the subjunctive mood, and applies to wishes as well (I wish I were thin).
2007-02-20 21:41:43 · answer #7 · answered by ♥Peanut♥ 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If I were you
2007-02-20 21:33:52 · answer #8 · answered by ? 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would say were, but i'm not very smart!
2007-02-20 21:33:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
what kind of question is that...sombody's got a problem, let me guess, u'r a blonde?
2007-02-20 21:34:17 · answer #10 · answered by Scpwnz 5 · 1⤊ 4⤋