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Archiver > CHESHIRE > 2005-07 > 1121895625


From: "Graham Pointon" <>
Subject: RE: [CHS] Re: CHESHIRE-D Digest V05 #273
Date: Wed, 20 Jul 2005 22:43:47 +0100
In-Reply-To: <BAYC1-PASMTP035EEE7C1A219FBDE85608A1D70@cez.ice>


James -

In this case, the word "were" is not a plural, but the subjunctive mood, something which has almost completely died out in English,
but is still common in certain circumstances in French and the other Romance languages.

Graham

-----Original Message-----
From: James [mailto:]
Sent: 20 July 2005 01:40
To:
Subject: [CHS] Re: CHESHIRE-D Digest V05 #273


I am reminded of a classic question and answer which illustrates when the
plural or singular case may be used quite properly.

The question...

Should I say "If I was to be King or if I were to be King " ?

The answer...

You may say either, but if you said "If I was to be King, you likely
wouldn't be King".

The English language can be a subtle tool.
.
Cheers,
James

.


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