If i WAS/WERE to ask, If he WAS/WERE to ask ?

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Eng.noob

#449938 Wed, 05 Dec 07 02:31 PM

Hi again,
Now i am confused with usage of were and was. As in the topic, which is used where?

1)I was/were asking him - was I corect here, I know
2)You was/were asking - were
3)He was/were asking - was
4)If I was/were to ask - ?
5)If he was/were to ask - ?
6)If you was/were to ask - ?

Whats the general rule?
-Thank you.

Eng.noob

Joined on Fri, Nov 23 2007

New Member (37)

Grammar Geek

#449947 Wed, 05 Dec 07 02:43 PM

Once you have the "if" you move to the subjunctive, which is "were."

If I were to ask him...

(It's for a situation that is contrary to current fact.)

Grammar Geek

Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006

Pennsylvania, USA

Veteran Member (15,583)

Barbara, who answers in American English.

Subjunctives

Eng.noob

#450006 Wed, 05 Dec 07 05:57 PM

Ah, i see. Thanks GG. And how are you? Long time no talk... Smile [:)]

Eng.noob

Grammar Geek

#450046 Wed, 05 Dec 07 07:40 PM

Good, thanks. I haven't seen you in chat.

Grammar Geek

Eng.noob

#457898 Fri, 28 Dec 07 05:11 PM

Then, in the following case also, there should have been WERE, not WAS, isnt it?:
"if he WERE still alive"

but google returned more results(6times) for "if he WAS still alive"..

Eng.noob