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sgolds

10/26/03 11:37 AM

#15926 RE: greg s #15923

greg s, thats what make language fun! eom.
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dougSF30

10/26/03 12:13 PM

#15932 RE: greg s #15923

greg, in the case of my statement, "If I was Elmer", I am using the present subjunctive, thus the usage of the "was" is indeed correct.

No, you're using the past subjunctive. "was" is not present tense-- that's your hint.

Present subjunctive: "I be" (instead of "I am")
Past subjunctive: "I were" (instead of "I was")

Hypothetical clauses which assume something known to be contrary to fact use the past subjunctive, e.g. "if I were Elmer"

And that's that.

Doug