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Wed 29 Jun, 2016 07:51 am
Hello,
I know that in the expression "if I were you", one must use "were" and not "was"
but when saying "I wish I (was or were) special", which one is the right fom, "were" or "was"?
Thank you.
Were is the subjunctive which refers to hypothetical or wished-for situations: If I were taller I could see over the fence, I wish I were taller, if wishes were horses, then beggars would ride.
@Tes yeux noirs,
Not only, Tes.
'We 'were' happy, back then'.
Example of non-hypothesis.
@Tes yeux noirs,
Thank you for your answer.
In the song Creep of Radiohead 0' 50", we can hear "I wish I was special"
is it a fault ?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XFkzRNyygfk
Thank you.
@milimi,
Please listen to 'SAD WAR' - AWESOME 'minecraft' parody of 'Mad World'.
Free on youtube.
@mark noble,
thank you for your reply.
@milimi,
You're welcome.
"Disturbed"'s version of 'The sound of Silence' is also worth a listen.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=u9Dg-g7t214
@mark noble,
Quote:Not only, Tes.
'We 'were' happy, back then'.
Example of non-hypothesis.
Yes, that is (or should be) understood - that the subjunctive 'were' is identical to the ordinary simple past 'were'.
Subjunctive:
I wish I/you/he/she/they were taller.
Ordinary simple past tense:
I was happy
You were happy
He/she was happy
They were happy
We were happy
@milimi,
Quote:In the song Creep of Radiohead 0' 50", we can hear "I wish I was special"
is it a fault ?
It is not a fault. The subjunctive is correct and required in formal standard English, but it often ignored in informal or relaxed speech and (as here) in the lyrics of pop songs.
@mark noble,
Your videos aren't working because you are using http: Change it to http
s and you'll be fine.
@Tes yeux noirs,
My friend 'Mark' (Lancastrian) "I were late today, mark. Boss give us grief, while so.".
And he's got a 'Masters' degree.
Just communicate, guys - Academia-based structure is bollux nowadays.
Mark, there is such a thing as 'standard English', whether you (or I) like it or not, and wishing won't make it go away.
@mark noble,
LINK- TRIAL.
https//youtube.com/watch?v=Rr8IjRgcJNM
Yeah - That works! NOT!
Thanks for your 'bollux' assistance.
@Tes yeux noirs,
I agree, Tes.
But it is redundant, in lieu of comms.
My dogs understand me - Gesturally (New word).
@milimi,
well listen,
the correct one is "I wish I were cool(or whatever)" but all people use the wrong word in which they say "I wish I was cool" that is a common mistake that most of the people use without knowing it is incorrect grammatically for example
"I ain't got time for no one" that's a double negative it is wrong but people say it without knowing
@MegaMoh,
I Agree.
But would not correct someone for their unacademical approach.
Most likely - I would pay them more attention for not giving a dead pig about how they are taken.
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