Usage question - subjunctive mood? (WAS: anyone looking for a writer?)

[Tim Pann]

Typically when someone says, "If I was xyz" or "if I were xyz" they are referring to something that is in fact not the case. Which, stricly speaking, means that "conditional, contrary to fact" is true 100% of the time. I'm curious if "was" would EVER be appropriate based on that constraint.

Tim

From: framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com [mailto:framers-bounces at lists.frameusers.com] On Behalf Of Dave.Stamm at gdc4s.com
Sent: Monday, April 08, 2013 4:39 AM
To: TechSubs at VibrantLivingMinistries.org; framers at lists.frameusers.com
Subject: RE: Usage question - subjunctive mood? (WAS: anyone looking for a writer?)

2013-04-08-01T11:40Z

Yes, "If I were looking . . . " is correct.  It conveys the concept of "conditional, contrary to fact":  "I wasn't looking, but if I had been looking . . .."

I choose to believe that those who might read or hear such an expression don't consider it "hifalutin'" and accept it.  ¿Who knows?  The reader or listener might even learn something about the language.

Regards,
Dave Stamm
Information Engineer



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