When to use “I were”

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:

1. They were going to the store. (Past simple, third person plural)
2. You were going to the store. (Past simple, second person singular)
3. I wish I were going to the store. (Present subjunctive).
4. If I were going to the store, which I am not, I would bring money. (Present subjunctive)

I hope that clears things up.

Kim

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