When do we use “If I was"? When is "If I were" preferable?

By Ranjana S.

This question involves an understanding of the subjunctive mood of the verb.

While the subjunctive is used far less today than in the past, there are still a number of important instances in which it is heard in English sentences.

Look at these sentences: 

• I suggest he keep his opinions to himself.
• I wish I were more knowledgeable.
• I insist that he report to me everyday.
• If I were you, I would never believe in his words.
• He acts as if he were my wellwisher.
• It is important that the member finish his work on time.
• God forbid that it should happen.
• Heaven help the hapless girl.

It is clear that these are special uses of the verb, since under normal circumstances we say:

• He keeps.
• I was.
• He reports.
• I was.
• She was.
• A member finishes.
• God forbids.
• Heaven help.

Now, let us analyze the sentences involved, we see that they are not, statements. 

• Sentence-1 is a suggestion.
• Sentence-2 is a wish.
• Sentence-3 is a demand.
• Sentence-4 is a condition contrary to fact, since of course, I am not you.
• Sentence-5 is another condition contrary to fact. He is not her wellwisher, in truth, but acts as if he were.
• Sentence-6 is an expression of necessity.
• Sentence-7 is a wish.
• Sentence-8 is a wish.

So it is clear that the subjunctive mood is used in non statements(demands, wishes, conditions contrary to fact, and the like).

In the active voice, the subjunctive is identical in appearance to one or two indicative tenses:

The Present Indicative Plural, even if the Subject is Singular: 

• We demand that he fulfill his promise.
• Do you wish that my father return the compliment?
• Do you suggest that he work overtime?
• It is important that he use more caution.

The Past Progressive Indicative, Plural, even if the Subject is Singular: 

• He wishes he were going.
• She talks as if she were splurging her own money.
• How nice this would be if it were happening to you!

In the passive voice, the subjunctive of a verb is the auxiliary be plus the perfect participle: be known, be seen, be used, etc. : 

• We demand that the promise be fulfilled.
• If you want to grow, it's important that you be seen in the right places.
• It is important that the high end machine be used with greater care.

With the verb to be, the subjunctive is the form were, even with a singular subject. 

• He wishes he were understood.
• She acts as if she were knowledgeable.
• How nice this would be if it were only true.

The subjunctive need cause no confusion, except when there is a possible choice between was and were. You will come across with the choice only after the verb wish and after the conjunctions if and as if. In other instances, the subjunctive is a part of the idiom that no one uses the indicative where the subjunctive is required. However, care must be exercised after the verb wish and also after the conjunctions if and as if.

#1

• I wish I was you.-----incorrect.
• I wish I were you.------correct.
• She wishes she was honored.-----incorrect.
• She wishes she were honored. -----correct.
• The boy hoped that he was braver.----incorrect.
• The boy hoped that he were braver.---correct.

#2

Use the subjunctive after the conjunction as if which always introduces a condition contrary to fact : 

• Boman talks as if he was innocent.------incorrect.
• Boman talks as if he were innocent.-----correct.(he is not innocent.)
• Maria ran as if the dog was after her.---incorrect.
• Maria ran as if the dog were after her.----correct.(the dog was not after her.)
• Betty screamed as if she was being murdered.---incorrect.
• Betty screamed as if she were being murdered.---correct.(she was not being murdered.)

#3

Use the subjunctive after the conjunction if in contrary to fact conditions: 

• If he was less ill-tempered, he would be more popular.-----incorrect.
• if he were less ill-tempered, he would be more popular.-----correct.(in fact, he is not less ill-tempered) 
• If he was not so stupid, he would understand how you feel about him.----incorrect.
• If he were not so stupid, he would understand how you feel about him.----correct.(in fact, he is stupid)
• If he was acting out of sincerity he would not do that.----incorrect.
• If he were acting out of sincerity, he would not do that.-----correct.(as a fact, he is not acting out of sincerity.)

#4

In conditions of fact, or possible fact, use the indicative after the conjunction if: 

• If Mr. Jeromy was in his home, why didn't he open the door?(maybe he was at home.) 
• If the leader was opposed to the plan, why didn't he say so?(maybe he was opposed to the plan.) 
• If her husband was at home that night, he certainly did not take part in the festivities.(maybe her husband was at home.)

#5

It is not essential to make elaborate analysis of the factuality or possible factuality of a condition, before deciding on the use of the subjunctive after the conjunction if. A condition contrary to fact is found only in a sentence in which the main clause is in the conditional tense. The conditional tense, contains the auxiliary would. In other words, if the main clause contains would, the if clause requires the subjunctive. (As if clauses, however, always require the subjunctive.) It's as simple and mechanical as that. (Should, an alternate form of would;and could, which is the conditional tense of be able, also signify a condition contrary to fact.)

Please note, how a change in the main clause of the sentences above removes the factuality of each sentence: 

• Mr. Jeromy would open the door if he were in his home.(subjunctive)
• If the leader were opposed to the plan, he would say so.(subjunctive)
• If her husband were at home that night, he would take part in the festivities.(subjunctive)
• If he were at her side, he would have countenanced such shenanigans.(subjunctive)