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☖ Forums → Discussion Forum → Grammar question concerning "was" and "were"
Grammar question concerning "was" and "were"
2003-12-16, 12:12 PM #1
Okay, "was" is used for describing singular a singular noun right? "Were" is used for plural nouns or "you"? If those rules are right, can you please explain why this is "were"?

"She was outfitted with a stylish black jacket; I wouldn't be surprised if she were packing some heat under there."

The "were" is modifying "she" right? But, isn't she singular; or am I'm forgetting another rule?
2003-12-16, 12:20 PM #2
'were' is subjunctive

Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">
Subjunctive:
Of, relating to, or being a mood of a verb used in some languages for contingent or hypothetical action, action viewed subjectively, or grammatically subordinate statements
</font>


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2003-12-16, 12:21 PM #3
If you use "if", then you always use "were"

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I'm not an actor. I just play one on TV.
Pissed Off?
2003-12-16, 12:22 PM #4
Not always true, Avenger.

I wish I were dead.

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All the prism in the world couldn't make hue.
2003-12-16, 12:25 PM #5
Sure, but that doesn't really apply to what I said

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I'm not an actor. I just play one on TV.
Pissed Off?
2003-12-16, 12:34 PM #6
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Vincent Valentine:

I wish I were dead.

</font>


I think it'd be "I wish I was dead."


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0 of 14.
omnia mea mecum porto
2003-12-16, 12:38 PM #7
No it'd be were because you're not really dead, you're wishing it... or something like that.
It's a non-true thing, that's what makes it "were"

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Do you have stairs in your house?
Do you have stairs in your house?
2003-12-16, 1:50 PM #8
I think i've got it, Was is changed to were when it is used as a complementary verb, aka it is used to complete the meaning of anouther verb.
i.e.- I wish i were dead
or
I wouldn't be surprised if she were packing some heat under there.

if 'were' was simply on its own, it would be was, as in this : She was packing heat under there.

(PS. Dont blame me if the definitions are incorrect, i suck at grammer. all this is from latin)

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2003-12-16, 1:55 PM #9
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Cloud:
Grammar question concerning "was" and "were"</font>


Hmm, I guess your teacher wasn't so great then, was she? [http://forums.massassi.net/html/wink.gif]

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2003-12-16, 2:16 PM #10
Hey thank guys, I got it down now. I remember learning about subjectives in my Spanish class last year so I pretty much understand what they are.

Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Hmm, I guess your teacher wasn't so great then, was she?</font>

You're right; she wasn't. We never did really have any good book discussion. On the contrary, my ultra liberal English teacher last year was great. I always found it amusing how he always find some way to relate how evil capitalism and war is in relation to the books we read.
2003-12-16, 2:20 PM #11
Sounds like my History teacher last year. I don't think I was in that class a single day without him mentioning his views on euthenasia [http://forums.massassi.net/html/biggrin.gif]

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Do you have stairs in your house?
Do you have stairs in your house?
2003-12-16, 2:27 PM #12
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Cloud:
...We never did really have any good book discussion...</font>


Yeah, you didnt have the time, right? [http://forums.massassi.net/html/tongue.gif]

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Fight the future.
And when the moment is right, I'm gonna fly a kite.
2003-12-16, 2:29 PM #13
Nice, GBK. [http://forums.massassi.net/html/biggrin.gif]
Warhead[97]
2003-12-16, 2:43 PM #14
Did no one read my post? Hello? Hellllloooo?

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1 of 14 - The Coucil still lives
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2003-12-16, 3:53 PM #15
Why would we do that lat?

And GBK- I get it. It's funny.. [http://forums.massassi.net/html/biggrin.gif]

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2003-12-16, 6:00 PM #16
Damn! I can't believe I missed this thread!

For those that still care, you use the subjunctive (were, be) when you're describing a situation contrary to reality or a hypothetical (thank your lucky stars English doesn't have seperate forms for them like Latin does...)

CONTRARY TO REALITY: "If I were a 900 pound gorilla..."
HYPOTHETICAL: "I would like it if I were to suddenly discover a thousand dollars."

Though "be" is a subjunctive, I can't think of any uses for it.
2003-12-16, 6:59 PM #17
Yeah, Matt would know about grammar. He took off points from Leeza's Destiny 3 because of my bad grammar back then [http://forums.massassi.net/html/frown.gif]

Anyhow, I've got a grammar question for you Grammar Nazis to chew on. I keep missing up on how to use "it's" and "its" properly. Because I keep botching that up I usually just stick to just using "its" for every situation that may use either of the two. Ain't I bad? [http://forums.massassi.net/html/biggrin.gif] [http://forums.massassi.net/html/biggrin.gif] [http://forums.massassi.net/html/biggrin.gif]

-- SavageX

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2003-12-16, 7:09 PM #18
It's == IT IS (ex. It's a beautiful morning)
Its == posessive! (ex. Its life was cut short.)

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1 of 14 - The Coucil still lives
6-16 Never Forget.
Click.
1 of 14 | 6-16 Never Forget. | Click.
2003-12-16, 7:17 PM #19
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Though "be" is a subjunctive, I can't think of any uses for it.</font>


Here're a few present subjunctives:

"I demand that I be told when the test results are in."

"I suggested that he go to the store."

"I will move the curtain so that it not block the view."
2003-12-16, 7:24 PM #20
I am reminded of a quote.

"It depends on what the meaning of the word 'is' is."

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2003-12-16, 8:24 PM #21
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Argath:
"I will move the curtain so that it not block the view."</font>


I can't help but feel that there is a "will" missing in there.

-- SavageX



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"...and if you don't like that, then you need to be slugged in the face repeatedly, until my hands are soaked in blood. Have a nice day!"
http://www.savagex.net
The cake is a lie... THE CAKE IS A LIE!!!!!
2003-12-16, 8:58 PM #22
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Matthew Pate:
CONTRARY TO REALITY: "If I were a 900 pound gorilla..."
HYPOTHETICAL: "I would like it if I were to suddenly discover a thousand dollars."

</font>


Hence the "if - were" deal I posted above.

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I'm not an actor. I just play one on TV.
Pissed Off?
2003-12-16, 10:24 PM #23
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">I can't help but feel that there is a "will" missing in there.</font>


Yeah, it sounds strange. Outside of formal and legal writing, that kind of construction is rarely used, but it's one of the few examples of a present subjunctive I could think of.

Normal people would say "will not block", which is also grammatically correct. Deciding whether to use the subjunctive or indicative is just a matter of personal preference

[This message has been edited by Argath (edited December 17, 2003).]
2003-12-16, 11:19 PM #24
Now that the was/were has been dealt with, I have another question.

That/who. I've heard that whenever referring to a person or people, you would use "who" as in:

The boy who had a blue shirt.

Yet I see people using "that" a lot in these sentences. So when are you supposed to use "that" and "who"? More examples of what I've thought to be correct:

Everyone who thought that they had won had actually lost.

People who are happy are joyful.

I sold him a car that was in terrible shape. (This one's obviously correct, I'm mainly wondering about the former examples.)

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2003-12-16, 11:26 PM #25
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">
Yeah, Matt would know about grammar. He took off points from Leeza's Destiny 3 because of my bad grammar back then
</font>


Oh yeah!? Well, how about I take off points for never finishing the damn series, eh? And for cancelling the SP SS3 thing, which was my favourite level of all time? And this is for your hard drive crashing for that cool prequel you were making! [http://forums.massassi.net/html/smile.gif]
2003-12-17, 12:46 AM #26
The 'were' 'was' thing is sort of interesting. You use 'were' when it is something you cannot ever be, like "If I were a turtle..." but you use 'was' for something that is actually possible, like "If I was at the other side of the room...". I think. Sorry if this has already been answered!
"The trouble with the world is that the stupid are cocksure and the intelligent are full of doubt. " - Bertrand Russell
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2003-12-17, 1:25 AM #27
"I was there."

"Ah, you were there."

? o_O I missed the point of this thread I guess.

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2003-12-17, 1:32 AM #28
*Grabs Cloud by the scruff of the neck*
*shoves his face into the pile of massassians*
LOOK WHAT YOU DID! YOU SEE THAT? JUST LOOK AT IT! BAD CLOUD! BAD! [http://forums.massassi.net/html/tongue.gif]

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2003-12-17, 5:49 AM #29
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Cloud:
You're right; she wasn't. We never did really have any good book discussion. On the contrary, my ultra liberal English teacher last year was great. I always found it amusing how he always find some way to relate how evil capitalism and war is in relation to the books we read.</font>


Evil and war, eh? My English teacher always manages what we read to original sin and sex!

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2003-12-17, 2:31 PM #30
Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Originally posted by Glyde Bane:
*Grabs Cloud by the scruff of the neck*
*shoves his face into the pile of massassians*
LOOK WHAT YOU DID! YOU SEE THAT? JUST LOOK AT IT! BAD CLOUD! BAD! [http://forums.massassi.net/html/tongue.gif]

</font>


It can't be that bad, I'm merely trying to improve my grammar. I know that Massassi has its fair share of Grammar Nazis too.

Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Yeah, you didnt have the time, right? </font>

I never have the time for anything.

Quote:
<font face="Verdana, Arial" size="2">Evil and war, eh? My English teacher always manages what we read to original sin and sex!</font>

Very perculiar.... When I did an oral report on communism, at the end I mentioned how communism is inferior compared to capitalism. Immediately, he tries to argue with me that capitalism is worse than communism. He's pretty luck that Joe McCarthy is not alive any more...

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