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sharter · Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 878 Location: All over the place

If I were you, I'd get out more.

The dullest thread in ages.

-I=subject pronoun, her=object pronoun.

-If I were/ If I was are both acceptable. That's it.

Why make it complicated?

Isla Guapa · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 4:54 pm Post subject: Re: erm........

johnslat · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 7:10 pm Post subject:

Dear sharter,

"If I were/ If I was are both acceptable. That's it.

Why make it complicated?"

Well, maybe (at least partially) because "if I was" can describe a real situation:

Politician making an "apology": Well, if I was offensive in any way, I apologize."

but "if I were" has to be an "unreal conditional."

Regards,
John

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 7:30 pm Post subject:

Dear Johnslat

That's just overly-complexifying things, and I like everything to be all over-simplificated.

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Over-simplificated? Accent on the "plif"?

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 7:33 pm Post subject:

the 'cate', I'd say... hic!

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 7:34 pm Post subject:

Like 'pixilated'.

johnslat · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:11 pm Post subject: Grammar RULES

Dear johntpartee,

"Biggest mistake anyone can make when talking about the "rules" of English. There will (almost) always be something that doesn't follow the "rule"."

That's quite true - as a rule.

Regards,
John

johntpartee · Joined: 02 Mar 2010 Posts: 3258

Yes, even the rule about the rule.

Sashadroogie · Posted: Thu Sep 09, 2010 8:18 pm Post subject:

Some dude named Murphy opined something similar...