IF...WERE Flashcards
Formal: unreal conditional sentences, we use IF…WERE for present and future. WAS can be used too.
For advice, we prefer WERE.
If your mother were here, I am sure she wouldn’t let you eat all those chocolates. ( was can be used here).
My job wouldn’t exist if it were not for government funding.
If I were you, I would take it back to the shop. (advice).
In imaginary situations we use WERE:
WERE+subject+to Infinitive;
After WISH;
After IF ONLY;
After WOULD (‘d) RATHER or WOULD (‘d) SOONER, for preferences.
in sentences beginning with Suppose, Supposing, imagine.
Were the elections to be held today, the liberals would win easily.
Were I not in my seventies and rather unfit, I might consider taking up squash.
I enjoy my job enormously, but I wish it were closer to home. (or It was…)
If only it were that simple. (it was…)
I feel embarrassed about what happened and I would rather the event were forgotten. (was forgotten).
I’d sooner it were earlier, if possible. (it was).
Suppose I were to lower the price, would you consider buying it? (I was to lower)
Imagine the house were repainted. (was …)
In comparison, after As if, As though, Even if.
I remember stepping off the boat in NY as if it were yesterday.
Despite losing the election, she continues to act as though she were prime minister.
It’s too late to start the work this year, even if it were possible to find the money for it.
