I was or I were, which is correct?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the correct usage of 'I was' or 'I were' in English grammar, referring to the appropriate form of the verb 'to be' in different contexts.
Answer
Both 'I was' and 'I were' are correct; 'I was' is indicative, 'I were' is subjunctive.
The correct form is either 'I was' or 'I were', depending on the mood of the sentence. 'I was' is used in the indicative mood and 'I were' is used in the subjunctive mood.
Answer for screen readers
The correct form is either 'I was' or 'I were', depending on the mood of the sentence. 'I was' is used in the indicative mood and 'I were' is used in the subjunctive mood.
More Information
The use of 'was' and 'were' depends on whether the sentence is stating a fact or a hypothetical situation. In real scenarios, use 'I was'. For hypothetical, wishful, or imaginary scenarios, use 'I were'.
Tips
Common mistake is to misuse 'was' and 'were' by not paying attention to whether the sentence is fact or hypothetical.
Sources
- The Difference between Was and Were – Byju's - byjus.com
- How to Use “Was” vs. “Were” Correctly - Grammarly - grammarly.com
- Should I say I was or I were, what's the correct? - Quora - quora.com
