Why Is It Correct "if I Were" ? And Why Not "if I Was?

[betoss06]

For The Second Conditional Why "were" Replaces "was"?, What´s The Reason Of This Replacement? I´ll Be Grateful If Someone Explain This?

[riverkid]

Originally Posted by betoss06

Could You Explain This Topic In Conditional It´s Used If I Were And Why Not If I Was , What Is It The Reason?ç

Both "if + were'" and "if + was" are commonly used in English, Betoss. There is a prescription against using 'was' but it, like the vast majority of prescriptions, is wrong.

"if + were" is used in more formal language situations.

The subjunctive in English is moribund [M-W: being in the state of dying: approaching death] and for the few remaining subjunctive forms, there is at least one other way to express the same thing.

[betoss06]

Thanks A Lot¡¡¡