Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Kaypea]

Is it, "If I were you, I would go out with your friend" or "If I were you, I would go out with my friend."

A coteacher asked this about an exam question, and I suggested changing it to "If I were you, I would go out tonight" instead, because... to me, it's really confusing! Logically, I think it would be "I would go out with my friend", but we both think "your" friend sounds a little more.. natural?

Is there a clear right answer here?

Can I explain it to her?

[thegadfly]

"If I were you, I would go out with my friend."

That is the correct form, but seems less "natural," as you stated...however, "natural" language is not always correct language. "Me and him are friends" sounds natural to a lot of people, but "He and I are friends" is correct....

[OculisOrbis]

It depends on whose friend it is.

Is it your friend, their friend or is it a mutual friend?

If the third party is your friend, it's 'my'.
If the third party is the other person's friend, it's 'your'.
If the third party is a mutual friend, it's 'our'.

[oldtrafford]

Correct Orbis. To the op you've kept us in the dark regarding the exact context.

[Kaypea]

Thanks, guys

The context is a dialogue between a Mom and a teenage son, and the interesting this is, the Mom is actually encouraging the son to go out with his friend. The son would rather take a rest at home.

So, she would be right to say, "If I were you, I'd go out with my friend."

Sometimes I hate teaching English because there's so many little things like this to trip over.

Also, I don't always do a great job at modelling proper English.

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