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Old 06-10-2002, 07:34 AM  
marty
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,656
Quote:
Originally posted by Colin
Ok, here's my contribution. This is an English grammar rule that has been so battered and abused that even the literary elite often make the mistake.

When referring to hypothetical events, use "were" and not "was"

INCORRECT: "If I was 20, I would kick your ass."
CORRECT: "If I were 20, I would kick your ass. "

INCORRECT: "If I was you, I'd start running."
CORRECT: "If I were you, I's start running."

If you want to look this up, look for the "past subjunctive' form of "to be".

Many people don't like the sound of that (I do) but it is correct. Of course, what is correct english is highly subjective. Not that long ago, spelling wasn't even standardized. Samuel Johnson's Dictionary, published in 1775, began the process of English spelling standardization.
So Colin, couldn't make it in the real world either?
I'd say that 25% of the guys and girls in here come with a background in teaching.
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