Si yo fuera alguien que te gustara

[Here4good]

Originally Posted by irmamar

So people there don't say "were", but "was". Does anybody say "were"?

Pues yo no.
I only say If I were if I'm going to give advice
Example
If I were you I'd take the motorway because it's quicker.

[CrOtALiTo]

Motorway another way to say highway.

I like the idea.

[Here4good]

Originally Posted by CrOtALiTo

Motorway another way to say highway.

I like the idea.

Motorway = British
Highway = American

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by poli

If I were you, I would.

Good sentence.

Originally Posted by Here4good

Pues yo no.
I only say If I were if I'm going to give advice
Example
If I were you I'd take the motorway because it's quicker.

Although completely opposite to this one (and you're British).

I've been taught to say "if I were" in conditional sentences (but sometimes I forget it).

[Here4good]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Although completely opposite to this one (and you're British).

I don't understand this comment irmamar!

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Here4good

I don't understand this comment irmamar!

Because Perikles, who is British, defends "were", while Chileno, who lives in USA says that "was" is commonly used there (furthermore, I study BE and I've been taught to say "were"). So I came to the conclusion that BE used "were" while AE used "was" in 'if sentences'. That was just a logical reasoning.

[Perikles]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Because Perikles, who is British, defends "were", while Chileno, who lives in USA says that "was" is commonly used there (furthermore, I study BE and I've been taught to say "were"). So I came to the conclusion that BE used "were" while AE used "was" in 'if sentences'. That was just a logical reasoning.

Quite right. It's very simple - were is an imperfect subjunctive, was is an imperfect indicative. In hypothetical situations, you use an imperfect subjunctive, not an indicative, because that is the point of the difference between the two moods. Those who don't know about a subjunctive mood will use an indicative. Many British people use was instead of were and it makes me cringe, but then I'm probably old-fashioned.

Not all "if sentences" require the subjunctive

If it has stopped raining, we'll go for a walk. (simple conditional, indicative, because it's a possibility)

If only it were Tuesday (hypothetical, thus subjunctive, because it's Friday)

[Here4good]

Originally Posted by irmamar

Because Perikles, who is British, defends "were", while Chileno, who lives in USA says that "was" is commonly used there (furthermore, I study BE and I've been taught to say "were"). So I came to the conclusion that BE used "were" while AE used "was" in 'if sentences'. That was just a logical reasoning.

Ahhh vale. ¡No entendía nada!
¿Sabes qué? Llevo más que veinte años enseñando inglés, y aunque Perikles me mata, a mí no me parece muy importante si dices was or were porque parece que depende de la zona y la cultura y no sé que más. Si estas negociando con un holandes, un slovako, y un americano y dices was en vez de were todos te van a entender igual. Ahora, si estas haciendo el examen del TOEFL or el First es otra historia...

[irmamar]

Originally Posted by Perikles

Quite right. It's very simple - were is an imperfect subjunctive, was is an imperfect indicative. In hypothetical situations, you use an imperfect subjunctive, not an indicative, because that is the point of the difference between the two moods. Those who don't know about a subjunctive mood will use an indicative. Many British people use was instead of were and it makes me cringe, but then I'm probably old-fashioned.

Not all "if sentences" require the subjunctive

If it has stopped raining, we'll go for a walk. (simple conditional, indicative, because it's a possibility)

If only it were Tuesday (hypothetical, thus subjunctive, because it's Friday)

Yes, you're right, I forgot those 'if sentences'.

You should have a kind of RAE, so we, English students, would be able to know what is correct or not.

Thanks.

[CrOtALiTo]

Originally Posted by Here4good

Motorway = British
Highway = American

Thank you for the explanation.

In any case I can use them in my English.

This Sunday I will be in the motorway with drift to Calakmul.