Nigel Farage: if I was an American citizen I wouldn’t vote for Hillary Clinton if you paid me”

[iolo]

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.

Present subjunctive would be 'If I be who you say I am...'

Might sound weird but them's the breaks. Though I mostly hear people use a corrupt form, otherwise they'll stick a 'should' in there making 'If I should be who you say I am...'

'I were' is past subjunctive.

[YOUTUBE]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBHZFYpQ6nc[/YOUTUBE]

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

The confusion is likely because the Brits don't really use the subjunctive form anymore.

Educated people tend to, out of habit, but they are growing fewer, unfortunately.

 

[whichphilosophy]

I didn't quote Nigel Farage fully last time. His full words in his characteristic humour were "I wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton if you paid me," he said. "In fact, I wouldn't vote for Hillary Clinton if she paid me."