Common Errors Grammar Tip 7

Was or were?

Which sentences are correct? 

1. If I was you, I’d think twice. 
2. If I were you, I’d think twice.

3. I couldn’t tell if I was dreaming.  
4. I couldn’t tell if I were dreaming.  

5. If only I was able to time travel.  
6. If only I were able to time travel. 

7. Oh, I wish I was an Oscar Mayer wiener . . . 
8. Oh, I wish I were an Oscar Mayer wiener . . . 

The correct sentences are B, C, F, and H.

Why? 

In sentences A and B, the conditional “if” phrase is hypothetically impossible. I could never be you. 

In sentences C and D, the conditional “if” phrase is hypothetically possible. The chance exists that I was dreaming. 

In sentences E and F, the conditional “if” phrase is hypothetically impossible. Time travel is not possible. 

In sentences G and H, the conditional “if” phrase is hypothetically impossible. I could never be an Oscar Mayer wiener. 

Note the differences between these two sentences:

9. If I was wrong, I apologize.  

10. If I were wrong, I’d apologize.

Both are correct. How do they differ in meaning? 

In the first sentence, the speaker/author acknowledges the chance that s/he was wrong and apologizes. 

In the second sentence, the speaker/author does not accept the possibility that s/he was wrong, but would apologize had s/he been.

To determine “was” or “were,” ask yourself: Is this situation possible?

• Hypothetically possible → was 
• Hypothetically impossible → were 

Now you know!