"Were" instead of "Was"

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thread starter Rotation Feb 26 2010 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

So, I know the rule about using "were" when you're talking about something that's not true, instead of was. For example, correct form: "If I were an astronaut, I would fly to space." incorrect form: "If I was an astronaut, I would fly to space." Does anyone know why it's like that? o_O

KuroShikaku 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Was is past tense for a single subject. Were is not.

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Rotation 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] KuroShikaku : Was is past tense for a single subject. Were is not. [/quote] Were is the past tense for more than one subject. So why is were used instead of was? o_O

FundedAran 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

I think you have it backwards because astronaut is singular, and "were" is used for plural. o_O

My Characters: FundedAran - 26 KradiaGMS Aran Awakened

Rotation 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] FundedAran : I think you have it backwards because astronaut is singular, and "were" is used for plural. o_O [/quote] Yeah, that's what I used to think. But then I learned that you actually use "were" in situations like that. o_O

Milkshakess 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

When someone says 'was' in that context, it makes me think of an infant saying 'wuz'.

My Characters: Miikshakess - 123 Windia Shadower

MizMisa 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

Like everyone said: were is past tense for plural (and also 'you') and was is used for singular.

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Kamikorosu 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

And while we're on the topic of grammar... What's up with "God bless America"? Shouldn't it be "God blesses America"?

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Whatthecake 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] Rotation : Yeah, that's what I used to think. But then I learned that you actually use "were" in situations like that. o_O [/quote] You do. It's like saying "I wish I were at home." instead of "I wish I was at home." <- Was is used incorrectly, though I don't really remember why.

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Xerepic 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] Kamikorosu : And while we're on the topic of grammar... What's up with "God bless America"? Shouldn't it be "God blesses America"? [/quote] Aren't we telling him to bless America?

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Riverstorm 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

tense = Subjunctive? I don't know.

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Regulus133 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

As Riverstorm stated, it is the subjunctive tense. It allows for a distinction to be made between the past (if I was) and uncertainty (if I were) in the present.

My Characters: Erideis - 138 Mardia I/L Arch Mage

FundedAran 02/26/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] Kamikorosu : And while we're on the topic of grammar... What's up with "God bless America"? Shouldn't it be "God blesses America"? [/quote] Uhh... God is still blessing America, so if you were to say he blesses America, he would have only done it once; and that the bless has ended.

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XmoheganX + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] FundedAran : Uhh... God is still blessing America, so if you were to say he blesses America, he would have only done it once; and that the bless has ended. [/quote] Saying "God Blesses America" does not imply God has only done it once. If you think about it, 'blesses' is a present-tense verb. I'm too tired to explain the rest. Anyways, we all digress. @TS I think the correct term is "If I was an astronaut...." It's just a matter of Colloquial Speech vs Formal/Proper Grammar.

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jerryjerry 02/27/10 + PM | QUOTE | PERMALINK | REPORT

[quote] Xerepic : Aren't we telling him to bless America? [/quote] then you'd need a comma; "god, bless america."

My Characters: souibeast - 105 Scania Dawn Warrior