Tristan Scott
Senior Member
51 % of the British people didn't agree with him on brexit. 51 % of those that voted did. Voter apathy is a real bitch.
Just because 51% of the British don't have a clue that is no reason to vote for Trump. The most despicable man in the world.
It takes an incredible imagination for one to think he would represent them. Or acknowledge their existence once elected.
I don't think so. It is "were" in present and "had been" in the past tense. But I am not a native speakerAm I the only person bothered by the lack of "were" in the subjunctive mood?
My understanding is that subjunctive uses "was" in the present tense and "were" in the past tense. So I think his usage was correct.
I don't think so. It is "were" in present and "had been" in the past tense. But I am not a native speakerMy understanding is that subjunctive uses "was" in the present tense and "were" in the past tense. So I think his usage was correct.
Am I the only person bothered by the lack of "were" in the subjunctive mood?
My understanding is that subjunctive uses "was" in the present tense and "were" in the past tense. So I think his usage was correct.
I don't think so. It is "were" in present and "had been" in the past tense. But I am not a native speaker
I am a native speaker, but this is a topic that I've never really come to terms with.
51 % of the British people didn't agree with him on brexit. 51 % of those that voted did. Voter apathy is a real bitch.
51 % of the British people didn't agree with him on brexit. 51 % of those that voted did. Voter apathy is a real bitch.
51% voted for Brexit, but what evidence is there that they agreed with Falange in so doing?
I am a native speaker, but this is a topic that I've never really come to terms with.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_subjunctive
looks like present is "be" and past is "were" and I invented "had been" for past in past like this:
"He said had I been US citizen......"
The main use of the past subjunctive form, were, which is also known as the irrealis[9] is in counterfactual if clauses (see English conditional sentences: Second conditional):
If I were a badger, I would choose that color.
He would let us know if he were planning to arrive late.
The simple (indicative) past form was is very common in sentences of this type,[9] though the Random House College Dictionary states "Although the [were] subjunctive seems to be disappearing from the speech of many, its proper use is still a mark of the educated speaker."[10]
I don't think so. It is "were" in present and "had been" in the past tense. But I am not a native speakerMy understanding is that subjunctive uses "was" in the present tense and "were" in the past tense. So I think his usage was correct.
I don't think so. It is "were" in present and "had been" in the past tense. But I am not a native speaker
It used to be "were" but now both "were" and "was" are acceptable.
It used to be "were" but now both "were" and "was" are acceptable.
It's mostly Americans who still insist on "were". Folks in the UK have mostly given up on it. Both are acceptable. A quick google search of "If I was" gets 368 million hits while "If I were" only gets 80 million. I think that's a good indication that the language has evolved.
"if" tells you it is subjunctive and not indicative.It's mostly Americans who still insist on "were". Folks in the UK have mostly given up on it. Both are acceptable. A quick google search of "If I was" gets 368 million hits while "If I were" only gets 80 million. I think that's a good indication that the language has evolved.
But we don't know that the "If I was" hits were subjunctive. Some of them will have been regular past tense.
"if" tells you it is subjunctive and not indicative.But we don't know that the "If I was" hits were subjunctive. Some of them will have been regular past tense.
"if" tells you it is subjunctive and not indicative.But we don't know that the "If I was" hits were subjunctive. Some of them will have been regular past tense.
OK, but this is definitely not an indicative mode. Could be uncertain mode?"if" tells you it is subjunctive and not indicative.
Not necessarily:
"If I was at the party, I don't remember."
OK, but this is definitely not an indicative mode. Could be uncertain mode?Not necessarily:
"If I was at the party, I don't remember."
Maybe Nigel Farage was not certain about his citizenship?
"if" tells you it is subjunctive and not indicative.
Past indicative: If I was visiting my friend when you called, I couldn't have picked up the phone.
Past subjunctive: If I were a dolphin, I would have defeated you in the race across the lake this morning.
OK, but this is definitely not an indicative mode. Could be uncertain mode?
Maybe Nigel Farage was not certain about his citizenship?
He is certain he would not vote for Hilary IF he was an American citizen.
Past indicative: If I was visiting my friend when you called, I couldn't have picked up the phone.
Past subjunctive: If I were a dolphin, I would have defeated you in the race across the lake this morning.
I agree with those because they are past tense.
Where I disagree--and with no sense of authority--is on present tense:
Present indicative: If I am who you say I am (which I don't know because of amnesia) I'll turn myself in.
Present subjunctive: If I was who you say I am (which I am not) I would turn myself in.
He is certain he would not vote for Hilary IF he was an American citizen.
Someone should invite him here so he can explain himself