'Was' or 'were' - which is the correct one to use?

I'm sure you ask yourself the same question...



Was/were = past tense of TO BE

WAS - I, he, she, it

WERE - you, we, they

 

So when do we use "if I were" and "if I was."

"If I were" (the past subjunctive) is appropriate in stating conditions that are contrary to fact:

• If I were rich, life would be a lot easier

"If I was" (the past indicative) is appropriate in stating conditions that are not contrary to fact.

• Was I rude? I'm not sure that I really was. But if I was rude, I'm sorry.

 

Click here to watch the video where the athlete makes a mistake with was/were