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Pedants' corner

Were or Was?

15 replies

thetombliboo · 03/08/2022 19:05

Please help

If I were chosen for this position
If I was chosen for this position

Which one is correct please?
Although perhaps I don't deserve to be chosen as I seem unable to compose a short covering letter 🙃

OP posts:
Howmanysleepsnow · 03/08/2022 19:07

Was.
Its easier to see without the excess words:
I were chosen
I was chosen

SpiderVersed · 03/08/2022 19:08

If I were
That's the grammatically correct answer. I remember my English teacher doing his nut over Midge Ure's If I Was

SpiderVersed · 03/08/2022 19:09

Howmanysleepsnow · 03/08/2022 19:07

Was.
Its easier to see without the excess words:
I were chosen
I was chosen

IF isn't an excess word, it's what makes it a conditional tense.

MaxandMeg · 03/08/2022 19:10

If I were....

If is a conditional and therefore takes the subjunctive, which in English is 'were'.

BlackbirdsSinging · 03/08/2022 19:10

Were

BrettAndersonscheekbones · 03/08/2022 19:10

If I were. It's the subjunctive = hypothetical situation.

Turmerictolly · 03/08/2022 19:10

Were

AgentProvocateur · 03/08/2022 19:10

If I were fortunate enough to be etc etc

TranquilityofSolitude · 03/08/2022 19:11

'Were' is correct. It's a conditional.

glamourousindierockandroll · 03/08/2022 19:11

I think it's 'were' but I can't explain why.

"Were I to be chosen for this position..."

fortifiedwithtea · 03/08/2022 19:11

Were.

you are talking about a position you may potentially hold in the future

DramaAlpaca · 03/08/2022 19:11

In this context 'were' is correct.

thetombliboo · 03/08/2022 19:15

Thank you all!

Another one,

How would you start a covering letter without knowing the name of the person hiring to address them.
It's for the practice manager ?

OP posts:
Timeforanothername · 03/08/2022 19:22

Were. It's subjunctive. But I think was is fast becoming the norm.

zurala · 03/08/2022 19:24

Dear practice manager

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