if I were or subjunctive mood
Guidelines
Certain statements require a different form of the verb. These include hypothetical statements in " if" clauses and statements that express wishes, requests, or recommendations. This form is called the subjunctive;
- I would not do that if I were you. (The " if" clause in this sentence is hypothetical. I am not you, so the subjunctive is used--if I were you, not if I was you.)
- I wish he were half as smart as he thinks he is. (The sentence expresses a wish, so the subjunctive is used--I wish he were, not I wish he was.)
- My brother recommended that the minutes be read. (This sentence expresses a recommendation, so the subjunctive is used--the minutes be read, not the minutes are read.)
Rules
1. Use " were" in place of " was."
- if I were you
- if he were here
2. In requests, demands, etc., use the base form of the verb (e.g. " be" rather than " am," " is," " are," etc.
- I recommend that our meeting date be changed.
- They insisted that the report be finished by the deadline.
- Our attorney advised that the manager tell everyone the bad news.
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