"If I was a pop star, I"d write amazing songs" or
"If I were a pop star, I'd write amazing songs" ?
2007-07-02 14:21:31 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
"If I were a pop star, I'd write amazing songs" is correct. It uses something called the past subjunctive, which is used in English for events which are not in fact real but which the speaker wonders how things would be if they were. The past subjunctive looks identical to the past, except for the verb "to be"; the past of "to be" is "were" for something plural (they were, we were, John and I were, etc), and also in "you were", and "was" for everything else (I was, he was, the dog was, etc); the past subjunctive uses "were" for everything.
So, how is it used?
"If I WAS a pop star" means "Maybe I was a pop star back then, maybe I wasn't; but if I was, ...." In other words, it says "'I was a pop star'; if this statement is true, ...".
"If I WERE a pop star" means "I am not a pop star, but IF I were...".
"If I were a pop star" says, first and foremost, "I am not a pop star" and wonders what if the opposite were true.
Consider this simpler example:
"If the man was poisoned, the police must investigate." This shows that it's not sure whether he was poisoned or not. Maybe he just had a heart attack or had an allergic reaction; maybe not.
"If the man WERE poisoned, the police would investigate." This tells us the man wasn't poisoned, and tells us what would happen if he were.
2007-07-02 16:11:31 · answer #1 · answered by Derek M 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
My teacher taught us the following:
Both are correct.
But the second option is kinda more traditional than the other, although nowadays more and more ppl say "if I was" as well so it is also acceptable.
The second sentence sounds better, more stylish anyway, so I'd highly recommend to use this form instead of the other.
But again, both are accepted, you wouldn't lose any points for using "If I was" at any international English exam (eg. TOEFL or Cambridge Proficiency).
2007-07-03 02:01:12 · answer #2 · answered by Tom F 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1. "If I was a pop star, I would have written amazing songs" - as it should be
2. "If I were a pop star, I would write amazing songs" - Correct
2007-07-02 22:49:10 · answer #3 · answered by Jungleboy 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
In this kind of sentences (Subjunctive) you express unreal condition. In "If" part you should use regular Simple Past for all verbs but for "to be" you always use "were" in these sentences, never "was". This is the grammar rule.
2007-07-02 15:58:59 · answer #4 · answered by ML 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes!! The second one would be correct!! Sorry Misty!! Just thought I would add that!! Manners you know!!
2007-07-02 14:31:07 · answer #5 · answered by Polar Molar 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The second one, if you're looking to speak correct English...
2007-07-02 14:27:38 · answer #6 · answered by ? 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Second one is correct , it's a subjunctive
2007-07-02 14:33:07 · answer #7 · answered by Hippie 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Using "was" indicates present tense.
Using "were" indicates past tense.
Depends on what you're going for with your statement.
2007-07-02 14:25:20 · answer #8 · answered by Misty Eyes 6 · 1⤊ 3⤋
only the top one
2007-07-02 14:55:52 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋