Hi, I have a question
this sentence -> If I were a boy
why 'were'?
why don't use 'was'?
"If i was a boy" is wrong sentence?
I want to know reason
bye!
NOT A TEACHER
(1) As the other posters have told you, there is something called the subjunctive.
We use the subjunctive when we are talking about something that is not true.
(a)
Of course, I am not the president. But if I
were the president, I
would make
a lot of changes.
(2) "If I were a boy" = I am NOT a boy. (Of course, only a girl would say this
sentence!)
(3) Some native speakers say "If I WAS a boy" or "If I WAS the president."
I have read that here in the United States, most native speakers still use the
subjunctive ("were") because they hear it so often on TV, etc. I hear that in
some other English-speaking countries, many people do not use the subjunctive
so often as do Americans.
(4) If I WERE you (I am NOT you), I would continue to ask questions here.
As you can see, many people are eager to help you.
Good luck.