were or was

[edmondjanet]

If I were there it would not have been happened.
If he were minister He would have done so many things
I have seen such sentences. So I genuinely feel one doubt. Can I say?
If they was there or If We was there

 

[bhaisahab]

If I were there it would not have been happened. This is incorrect.
If he had been minister he would have done so many things. This is correct. Apply the same principle to the first sentence.
I have seen such sentences. So I genuinely feel one doubt. Can I say,
If they was there or If We was there? No.

Bhai.

 

[edmondjanet]

Bhai.

I am sorry to ask you this question again.
If it were possible,I would do it.
If I were you, I shouldn't let him go. These senteces are from grammar books.Here Can I use, "had been"

 

[Barb_D]

If I were you (now), I would (do something in the present).
I I had been in your place (then), I would have (done something in the past).

 

[Xiwi]

I've heard people said "If I was..." seemingly referring to the past in a hypothetical context. Is that an informal way of saying "If I had been..." ?

I'm also aware that "If I was..." can also refer to the present.

 

[crazYgeeK]

If I were you (now), I would (do something in the present).
I I had been in your place (then), I would have (done something in the past).

Could you please give out some comments on "If they was...", "If we was..."? That's the exact point that the thread starter doubts! And I also want to know how it is!
Thank you so much!

 

[bhaisahab]

I am sorry to ask you this question again.
If it were possible,I would do it.
If I were you, I shouldn't let him go. These senteces are from grammar books.Here Can I use, "had been"

No, you can't substitute "had been". If you wanted to use "had been" it would have to be like this: "If I had been you, I wouldn't have let him go".

 

[Barb_D]

Could you please give out some comments on "If they was...", "If we was..."? That's the exact point that the thread starter doubts! And I also want to know how it is!
Thank you so much!

The simple past for "I am" is "I was." People who don't know about or care about the subjunctive will say "If I was" for an unreal situation in the present. You will hear that often, in fact. I'm not sure if it's used for an unreal situation in the past.

However, "they was" and "we was" are never correct. It is not correct for the simple past and it's certainly no more correct for the subjunctive. While there are people who use all sorts of non-standard grammar ("I seen it!"), do not follow that path.