I was or I were

Question

What is correct? I was or I were

Answer 1

Hola rema:

I was

you were

he was

we were

you were

they were

You can only use I were in "if-sentences"

If I were rich, I would buy a house.

ok, It´s clear now. Thank u. - engspanish, Jan 17, 2012

If I were rich, I would buy a house. - the "were" in this sentgence is the English subjunctive. - ian-hill, Jan 17, 2012

Answer 2

Ok Ian, you have ensured that I will never answer a post again, because even in my own language I can't seem to get it right, lol. I hope this satisfies you.

If I had been smarter, I would have known to write those other things in my comment. lol But I was not. (I say 'was' because now I am) I will try to do better in the future.

Ok. I will stop commenting now.

:-) - MLucie, Jan 17, 2012

Actually it should be "If I were smarter I would have .......... but I AM not. - ian-hill, Jan 17, 2012

and "If I had been smarter ........ but I was not. - ian-hill, Jan 17, 2012

Answer 3

The subjunctive mood in "I were..." is certainly most common in an 'if' clause with a conditional verb in the principal clause. Some of the other constructions seem quaint, but forms like "I wish I were a movie star." and "Suppose I were an influential author...." are still common in standard English.

Answer 4

'I was' is correct.

'Was' is used when the subject is singular, for example: 'I was', 'he was', or 'she was', would be correct.
'Were' would be used for plural subjects, for example: 'They were', 'we were'.

But I is first person. I have, I do then I were ? - engspanish, Jan 17, 2012

Yes for all "persons" in subjunctive sentences - although many time "was" is used these days without offending too many peaople :) - ian-hill, Jan 17, 2012

I just had to comment on it because I work with someone who speaks that way, saying 'we was' or 'they was', and it drives me crazy!!! :-) - mandamagoo, Jan 17, 2012

But as Heidita revealed in her comment there are those exceptions that I didn't about and for that I'm sorry, i'm not a grammar teacher and probably should have kept my mouth shut. :-) - mandamagoo, Jan 17, 2012