if I were you

[navi tasan]

Which is correct:
1-I'd fasten my seat-belt if I were you.
2-I'd fasten your seat-belt if I were you.

 

[Tdol]

They do both make sense, but I'd use the second. This is a lovely question. Pity I haven't got a slick answer. ;-)

 

[navi tasan]

Thanks TDOL.
Your answer might not be "slick" (that could mean half a dozen things), but it's cool!

 

[MikeNewYork]

Which is correct:
1-I'd fasten my seat-belt if I were you.
2-I'd fasten your seat-belt if I were you.

I agree with TDOL that both are used. I prefer the "my" form. Once I am you, it will be my seatbelt.

 

[navi tasan]

That's the way I used it, but come to think of it, in certain cases TDOL's version works and ours doesn't:
"I'd listen to me if I were you."
Imagine the highly unlikely case where you want the other guy to fasten your belt, or...

I don't think this is an AE/BE thing though.

 

[Tdol]

I think my answer would change each time I answered the question.;-)

 

[MikeNewYork]

That's the way I used it, but come to think of it, in certain cases TDOL's version works and ours doesn't:
"I'd listen to me if I were you."
Imagine the highly unlikely case where you want the other guy to fasten your belt, or...

I don't think this is an AE/BE thing though.

While it is a bit strange, there really isn't anything wrong with "I'd listen to me if I were you." Once you become him, you could listen to the "me" which would then be someone else. :wink:

 

[Tdol]

"I'd listen to you if I were you."

A dangerous piece of advice, unless the other person is right. ;-)

 

[Tombraiders]

Well, if I were you, I'd become a double-head monster. I could listen to either me or you.

So:

I'd fasten my seatbelt if I were you -- I'd care for you.

I'd fasten your seatbelt if I were you -- I wouldn't care for you.

I'd listen to you if I were you -- you should listen to yourself

I'd listen to me if I were you -- you should listen to me

 

[navi tasan]

Precisely.
If I have got it right this is the way you do it (and it is definitely the way I do it):
I would fasten MY seat belt if I were you.
Here the meaning is: fasten YOUR seat belt.
I would listen to ME if I were you.
Here the meaning is; listen to ME

There is sort of a problem, isn't there?
The way we use it, the first person pronoun sometimes refers to the person the speaker is speaking to and sometimes to the speaker himself. The way TDOL uses it, "you" always means you.
I 'd fasten your seat belt if I were you.

But once again, I would say (or rather be told!) that context would make everything clear.

 

[MikeNewYork]

Precisely.
If I have got it right this is the way you do it (and it is definitely the way I do it):
I would fasten MY seat belt if I were you.
Here the meaning is: fasten YOUR seat belt.
I would listen to ME if I were you.
Here the meaning is; listen to ME

There is sort of a problem, isn't there?
The way we use it, the first person pronoun sometimes refers to the person the speaker is speaking to and sometimes to the speaker himself. The way TDOL uses it, "you" always means you.
I 'd fasten your seat belt if I were you.

But once again, I would say (or rather be told!) that context would make everything clear.

I see your point, but I don't see a problem. If I were you, your seat belt would be mine, but my words would still be the same. :wink:

 

[navi tasan]

I guess if you have a context you don't have a problem.
I think I am going to say "my" like I used to. If I meet TDOL in a bar (pub?), he'll recognize me! He'll go: "Hey! If you say "If I were you I'd drink MY whiskey more slowly" then you must either be Navi or Mike. And given your accent, you can only be Navi!!"
Mind you, in my language, we do say "my seat belt" too. Actually, I think the other version would be wrong.
Thanks for the "commas" question too.

 

[MikeNewYork]

I guess if you have a context you don't have a problem.
I think I am going to say "my" like I used to. If I meet TDOL in a bar (pub?), he'll recognize me! He'll go: "Hey! If you say "If I were you I'd drink MY whiskey more slowly" then you must either be Navi or Mike. And given your accent, you can only be Navi!!"
Mind you, in my language, we do say "my seat belt" too. Actually, I think the other version would be wrong.
Thanks for the "commas" question too.

You're welcome. I actually can see this TDOL's way as well. :wink:

 

[navi tasan]

So can I.
It is a good thing we can keep a thread going this long about something we agree upon!

 

[MikeNewYork]

So can I.
It is a good thing we can keep a thread going this long about something we agree upon!

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[james_chew_84]

Which is correct:
1-I'd fasten my seat-belt if I were you.
2-I'd fasten your seat-belt if I were you.

the best way to say it is. i'd would fasten the seat belt,if i were you.doubts solved

 

[MikeNewYork]

Which is correct:
1-I'd fasten my seat-belt if I were you.
2-I'd fasten your seat-belt if I were you.

the best way to say it is. i'd would fasten the seat belt,if i were you.doubts solved

It is the safest choice, at the very least.

 

[james_chew_84]

Precisely.
If I have got it right this is the way you do it (and it is definitely the way I do it):
I would fasten MY seat belt if I were you.
Here the meaning is: fasten YOUR seat belt.
I would listen to ME if I were you.
Here the meaning is; listen to ME

There is sort of a problem, isn't there?
The way we use it, the first person pronoun sometimes refers to the person the speaker is speaking to and sometimes to the speaker himself. The way TDOL uses it, "you" always means you.
I 'd fasten your seat belt if I were you.

But once again, I would say (or rather be told!) that context would make everything clear.

are you ppl dragging this on just for fun?.you would probably be talking in person when you say i would listen to me or you, if i were you.so, there is no need for pronouns when the conversation is about the both of you.Why not solve the problem by leaving the pronouns out.wouldn't it be easier to say i would listen, if i were you.well, if there's a third party involved you can say. i would listen to him if i were you and if it's a thing you can use "the "for example. i would fasten the seat-belt if i were you.

 

[MikeNewYork]

are you ppl dragging this on just for fun?.you would probably be talking in person when you say i would listen to me or you, if i were you.so, there is no need for pronouns when the conversation is about the both of you.Why not solve the problem by leaving the pronouns out.wouldn't it be easier to say i would listen, if i were you.well, if there's a third party involved you can say. i would listen to him if i were you and if it's a thing you can use "the "for example. i would fasten the seat-belt if i were you.

Yes, you've said that. It is a reasonable approach, but not the most common, IMO. :wink:

 

[james_chew_84]

are you ppl dragging this on just for fun?.you would probably be talking in person when you say i would listen to me or you, if i were you.so, there is no need for pronouns when the conversation is about the both of you.Why not solve the problem by leaving the pronouns out.wouldn't it be easier to say i would listen, if i were you.well, if there's a third party involved you can say. i would listen to him if i were you and if it's a thing you can use "the "for example. i would fasten the seat-belt if i were you.

Yes, you've said that. It is a reasonable approach, but not the most common, IMO. :wink:

what do you mean by not the most common?then, what do americans usually say?