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Sakura76
3 dez 2022

  • Coreano Quase Fluente
  • Turco
  • Japonês
  • Inglês (EUA)
Pergunta sobre Inglês (EUA)

Why is Were used here ?

If I were to give him a gift..

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Usuário excluído
3 dez 2022

I think it's because using "were" to describe yourself in a sentence puts you in the "second person". If that make any sense?! Hopefully, someone can give a better explanation for this great question, I was stumped!

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aoaAwueeewhdd
3 dez 2022

  • Inglês (EUA)

To put it a little more simple, I would say for this specific phrase it’s to reflect usually on what would happen if the said person “were” to give a gift, reformed as “if I was going to give him a gift.” The word were is a past tense in a second person point of view. Like say “We were studying” WERE studying meaning it was earlier on. Rather then him saying “We are studying” which is present tense. ??? I hope that helps, that’s a hard question!

newenglandgenie
3 dez 2022

  • Inglês (EUA)

It’s not as hard as you think. IF requires the subjunctive mood because it’s speculating

If I were you…

Highly-rated answerer
Sakura76
3 dez 2022

  • Coreano Quase Fluente
  • Turco
I still don't get it. As far as I understand, we imagine a situation that's unrealistic ? Pls give me some examples
newenglandgenie
3 dez 2022

  • Inglês (EUA)

@Sakura76

It’s speculating because

If I were you (were = subjunctive)
I’m NOT you so I’m pretending that I’m you. It’s speculating.

Highly-rated answerer
newenglandgenie
3 dez 2022

  • Inglês (EUA)

@Sakura76

Yes, exactly, we’re imagining a situation.
If I were you, I’d move to the United States.
I’m pretending to be you and if I were in your situation I would move to the United States.

I used google translate to translate it into Turkish:

Ben olsam Amerika Birleşik Devletleri'ne taşınırdım.

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Highly-rated answerer
Sakura76
4 dez 2022

  • Coreano Quase Fluente
  • Turco
@newenglandgenie can't I say 'if I was you..' ? what's the difference ?
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newenglandgenie
4 dez 2022

  • Inglês (EUA)

@Sakura76

You can say it but it wouldn’t be correct. The difference is that “were” is correct and “was” is not correct. People do say it, though.

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