[Grammar] Is " If I were your man" correct grammatically?

Status
Not open for further replies.

PizzaPasta

New member
Joined
Jun 7, 2013
Member Type
Interested in Language
Native Language
Malay
Home Country
Malaysia
Current Location
Malaysia
I was taught that the 'verb to be' in past tense for the pronoun 'I' is 'was', but in some cases "were" can be used. For instance when 'if' is added at the front to indicate probabilities. If that is so, why do some sentences go "If I was your boyfriend" when a renowned song goes like "If I were a boy"? I'm really confused. Help?:multi:
 

MikeNewYork

VIP Member
Joined
Nov 13, 2002
Member Type
Academic
Native Language
American English
Home Country
United States
Current Location
United States
I was taught that the 'verb to be' in past tense for the pronoun 'I' is 'was', but in some cases "were" can be used. For instance when 'if' is added at the front to indicate probabilities. If that is so, why do some sentences go "If I was your boyfriend" when a renowned song goes like "If I were a boy"? I'm really confused. Help?:multi:

The construction "If I were" indicates the subjunctive mood. It is grammatically correct to indicate a condition that is unreal at the present time.
Not everyone understands the subjunctive or uses it correctly.
 

BobK

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jul 29, 2006
Location
Spencers Wood, near Reading, UK
Member Type
Retired English Teacher
Native Language
English
Home Country
UK
Current Location
UK
No problem. 'If I was...' is acceptable in less formal contexts :)

b
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top