Great site to keep my english skills updated for work and travel. I am really enjoying the lessons!
Today we have a GREAT question from a student who asked:
“Which is correct – if I was… or if I were…?”
The answer is that we use BOTH in English, but in different situations!
We'll give you some good examples to make it clear.
“IF I WERE” – IMAGINARY SITUATIONS
We use “If I were…” in imaginary situations – for example:
Here are some more examples:
(I’m telling the other person what I would do if I were in their situation)
(I’m not rich, but I’m imagining being rich)
(I’m definitely not very tall in real life, but I can imagine what I would do if I were taller)
“IF I WAS” – REAL POSSIBILITY IN THE PAST
We use “If I was…” when we are talking about a past situation that was really possible:
(it’s possible that I was actually rude)
(it’s possible that I was right to take that action, it’s also possible that I was wrong)
(it’s a real possibility that I really was drunk last night)
(sometimes I was really late, and in those cases my teacher always yelled at me)
However, in casual spoken English, many native speakers are starting to use “if I was” even in imaginary situations, for example:
Technically, it should be “if I were a lawyer,” but the incorrect use is becoming more and more common when speaking informally.
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