"If I were"

Teesama · (#1 (**permalink**))

"If I were"
Lately I've begun to notice this phrase in english books and even in spoken language.
What does it mean? Is it just some mistake? Or is it correct? Help please oO

Ryusword · (#2 (**permalink**))

What Language do you speak?

If I were... The main word you want to be focusing on is the "WERE"
were can used to mean a multiple of things like:

To occupy a specified position
To remain in a certain state or situation
To equal in identity
To have a specified significance
To belong to a specified class or group
To have or show a specified quality or characteristic

Example: "If I were a bird, then I could fly."

The subject is comparing itself to that of another object; 'were' could possibly mean the same thing as "was the same as" or "exactly as". As for the "If I" portion: The subject is simply announcing themselves as the first object. As you would in:

"If she was/were..."
"If they were..."
"If he was/were..."

LOL I'm an english teacher!!!!

Hoped that helped

zoneoni · (#3 (**permalink**))

Ryusword gets 10 points for leetness. Also the If has a slight connotation in the sentence as it delivers a sense of improbability as well as the dissertations of outcome through hypothetics

Kai13 · (#4 (**permalink**))

What language do you speak?

Hard to explain, but it's something like if he (or whoever) had been there he could/would have done something.

But tell us your language so that someone can explain it better.

Teesama · (#5 (**permalink**))

Well my native language is czech. (I do wonder how would that help you oO)
Anyway thank you for your replies.

Suki · (#6 (**permalink**))

I think you mean like "I" goes with "was", so when you see "I were" something just sounds wrong. My advice: screw grammar rules, English has too many exceptions, or stick to Ryusword's brilliant reasoning.

tracevijai · (#7 (**permalink**))

I think Ryusword gave a perfect reply to your query. However, I wish to make it very simple for you. `If I were` this phrase is used only on imaginary contexts.

Check the Example given by Ryusword, If I were a bird, I can fly. He can`t be a bird but you can imagine that If you were a bird you can fly...Likewise it goes...

GentlePrincessJC · (#8 (**permalink**))

its kind of like what if?

ARose · (#9 (**permalink**))

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentlePrincessJC

its kind of like what if?

hmmm... I would say they are different.

'What if' is more of a question.
example: What if I put this here?

"If I were' is more of a statement.
example: If I were to put this here, it would not get lost.
('If I were' has to have more to it. "If I were ____, then ____.")