I sometimes want to use the word "were" when I feel like many of the people I know don't say it the way I would. Would it be, "If I was going to do that", or would it be "If I were going to do that"? I say "were". Also, how's my puncuation and grammar? Constructive criticism, only, please. There's no need to be rude.
2007-09-23 18:39:17 · 3 answers · asked by Jenn 7 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
Thanks, Insanity, you're right. "But I feel..." would be better. Would someone please explain to me what a subjunctive is? I used to have a good brain, but I haven't had much need for it since high school (I'm 44). Plus, I've abused it a bit, too. I just want to get it back. I can barely add and subtract without a calculator, anymore.
2007-09-23 19:43:10 · update #1
I just noticed, in the details I just gave, I said " would someone please explain...". Should I have said 'will'? Or should I have said 'can' if I weren't sure if anyone would know the answer?
2007-09-23 20:08:30 · update #2
I agree with the other folks, but strictly from a usage point of view, this tends to be a regional variation in language.
In the areas where the subjunctive is used, this difference is sometimes seen as an educated/not educated, or high class/low class feature, but in areas where the subjunctive is not generally used, the subjunctive is seen as a bit pompous.
I suspect that the subjunctive (If I were going to do that, ...) is used less in Britain than in the USA, but this is just hearsay. Maybe someone across the water might have something to say about it.
Your grammar is fine. Maybe you want to say ", but I feel..." in the first sentence.
PS Here's a link about the subjunctive:
http://www.ceafinney.com/subjunctive/guide.html
2007-09-23 19:31:49 · answer #1 · answered by Insanity 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Like was already said, it's a subjunctive verb, meaning that it states wishfulness or possibility... You should use 'were'.
As far as your grammar and punctuation: It's fine, except that I, personally, would use single quotation marks (') instead of the doubles (") because it isn't a direct quote, but rather an example of something that might be said. I think that's just a personal rule, not a strict grammar-based one, though.
2007-09-24 02:06:14 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
That phrase should be in the subjunctive - so "If I were ..." is correct.
Many peoplre don't realise that, and so use the simple past instead.
Many believe that the subjunctive in English should be done away with.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subjunctive
2007-09-24 01:46:36 · answer #3 · answered by Beardo 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋