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  #11 (permalink)  
Old 26-Aug-2006, 16:24
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Default Re: was were where what?

Quote:
Originally Posted by dihen View Post
So would a native speaker sometimes say "I wish I'm [someone]"?
Certainly not 'sometimes', Dihen. There COOOOOOUUUUULD be circumstances where it MIIIIIIIIGHT be used. The fact that Mr Micawber and I can't envision such a scenario lends credence to the idea that it would be rare indeed.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++

Here's an example from a famous newspaper columnist, Art Buchwald, using, "If I am you". As I mentioned, it's only used for special effect, humorous effect, sort of a "allowing that I'm you".

===========================

http://www.findarticles.com/p/articl...55/ai_97347238

Now my question is, if I am you then I have to pretend I am on the right. Or should I admit that I am flying under false colors and am really a bleeding-heart liberal?

If I don't give Trent Lott the benefit of the doubt and say that I don't want to go to war unilaterally with Iraq, will the irate voyagers throw me into the sea?

So I am writing to you for guidance. How do you think I should I play it?

Bob Novak said he would tutor me in right-wing language, but I told him you were my mentor.

Art Buchwald

Washington, D.C.

==============================
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  #12 (permalink)  
Old 26-Aug-2006, 16:40
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Default Re: was were where what?

The subjunctive mood is hardly used at all these days in British English, whereas it is quite common in American English, which is why the original poster would have been given these answers. There are though traditional rules for the 'correct' usage. See for example:

forum/ask-teacher/19429-plural-singular

(Add http://www.usingenglish.com/ before the above)
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Old 27-Aug-2006, 14:36
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Default Re: was were where what?

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...lural-singular

The link doesn't seem to work for some reason, with that reason being, I'm very likely doing something wrong.

Last edited by riverkid; 27-Aug-2006 at 14:43. Reason: to try to get the link to work
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Old 27-Aug-2006, 14:42
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Default Re: was were where what?

My fault - you have to add the .html on the end. I think it should work even though it doesn't show properly on the page.

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...-singular.html
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Old 27-Aug-2006, 15:01
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Default Re: was were where what?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Coffa View Post
My fault - you have to add the .html on the end. I think it should work even though it doesn't show properly on the page.
http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...-singular.html
Thank you very much, Coffa. Likely my fumble fingers were the cause.


Quote:
Originally Posted by Coffa View Post
The subjunctive mood is hardly used at all these days in British English, whereas it is quite common in American English, which is why the original poster would have been given these answers. There are though traditional rules for the 'correct' usage. See for example:
I find that I must disagree with your analysis. But I don't think it would be beneficial to move everything from there over here, so if you don't mind, I'll just link from here to there.

http://www.usingenglish.com/forum/as...-singular.html
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