Feb 14, 2019 · I wish I were young. I wish I were a boy. I wish I were a policeman. I wish I were a rich man. All the above sentences suggest you want to be something you are factually not. In other words, you are NOT young, a boy, a policeman, a rich man and you are sorry that you are not young, a boy, a policeman, a rich man. If I were you, I wouldn't say that.

Oct 25, 2021 · What is the difference between "were" and "have been", and are these sentences gramatically correct? 1) some of the best known writers of detective fiction in the twentieth century were women. 2) some of the best known writers of detective fiction in …

Apr 26, 2017 · Use were (instead of was) in statements that are contrary to fact. In your sentences it should definitely be: "What if the Moon were a Disco ball" - It's not true, that's why we use the subjunctive, it's contrary to fact. "If + were" expresses the subjunctive mood, which refers to wishes and desires and is known as a "non-factual" mood.

The Prime Minister said: "I have indicated in opening remarks that I do not intend to be Prime Ministerial candidate if the UPA were to come to power after the general elections. BJP leader Narendra Modi will prove to be "disastrous" for India if he were to become the Prime Minister, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said.

The question is usually in the same form as the answer. So the answer might be these buildings were designed by Lutyens - the subject of the verb is the buildings. So, the question is "Who were these buildings designed by>". You could also say "Who was the architect who designed these buildings? Lutyens was the architect. –

"If you were here 10 minutes ago, "The use of "were" can get more complicated ,the sentences below use the "were to" clause to indicate an element of uncertainty to the actions and outcomes referenced. "If you were to go home now, you might have a surprise waiting." "If you were to confirm the order today , I could get you a discount."

As said in this answer for "Neither Michael nor Albert is correct" or "Neither Michael nor Albert are correct"?, in that case you should use were because "his friends," which is closer to the verb, is plural. You should use were even if the sentence started with "neither her friends nor his friends."

Jan 17, 2017 · I understand the difference in use between 'could' and 'was/were able to' to refer to a specific achievement. I was able to attend the meeting yesterday. He actually attended the meeting. I could attend the meeting yesterday. He had the possibility to attend, but we don't know whether he did or he didn't.

Apr 19, 2020 · Yes, but despite what you may have read, "I wish I were rich" is not a subjunctive clause. The subjunctive is a clause type that uses the plain form of the verb, as in "It is vital that I be kept informed". The "were" in your example is best called 'irrealis', a special mood form instanced solely by "were" with 1st or 3rd person singular subjects.

Mar 11, 2014 · We were provided with food and water provide something : if the entity that is provided with something does not appear in the sentence, then the preferred form is just "provide": Sheep and goats introduced by the Spanish provided new sources of food and raw materials, including wool for textiles.