The following is a reader submission.
I was surprised to see that you said, “I were” in a sentence. When I went to school, the nuns told us that “were” was only to be used with a plural subject such as you, they or we.
Has grammar changed and now it’s okay to say, “I were”?
Joan
Hey Joan,
Thanks for writing.
Unfortunately, the nuns were only partially right. “Were” is used with a plural subject in a past simple tense. But there are some other uses.
We use “were” in the past simple with the singular second person pronoun “you”.
We also use it when we speak in the subjunctive, which is a mood expressing wishes, possibility, or statements different from current fact.
Here are some examples:
- They were going to the store. (Past simple, third person plural)
- You were going to the store. (Past simple, second person singular)
- I wish I were going to the store. (Present subjunctive).
- If I were going to the store, which I am not, I would bring money. (Present subjunctive)
I hope that clears things up.
Kim
Email me your grammar questions. I’ll be sure to post the question and answer here.
I am a year 5 teacher and really struggling with was and were for the following. Please can you help?
If I were the head master/mistress
If I was the head master/mistress)…I would teach ‘was’ as ‘I’ is singular but does the unfulfilled wish come in to it? (subjunctive)
Are both correct?
Many, many thanks for any help you can offer
Sharon Taylor
Hi Sharon,
Thanks for writing.
It would definitely be “If I were the head master/mistress”.
Because the speaker is talking about something that isn’t true currently, it falls under subjunctive (wishes, possibility, or statements different from current fact).
I hope that clears things up.
Thank you so much for your prompt reply. It doesn’t help that Newsround (BBC) have it as ‘was’ on their website
Best wishes
Sharon Taylor
Well, the use of “was” is popular. So is the usage of statements like “There’s 200 cars in that parking lot”, but popularity doesn’t make it right. Yet.