Which one is correct: “wish I was here” or “wish I were here”? The Next CEO of Stack OverflowWhich is correct “I wished I was a painter” or “I wished I were a painter”?Which tense is correct: Was or WereIn English, does the verb “wish” use subjunctive or indicative?it was as easy OR were as easyWhen to use “If I was” vs. “If I were”?was or were in Subjunctive MoodWhich is correct: “what if there was” or “what if there were”?Difference between 'If ..was' and 'If …were'Correct usage of was/were on the object of a sentence“if it were possible” vs “if it was possible”Correct usage of “were” or “was”?A weird usage of “were” instead of “was”was or were in Subjunctive Mood“If I was to” vs. “If I were to”Which is correct “I wished I was a painter” or “I wished I were a painter”?“I wish there were,” or “I wish there was,” which sounds most natural?
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Which one is correct: “wish I was here” or “wish I were here”?
The Next CEO of Stack OverflowWhich is correct “I wished I was a painter” or “I wished I were a painter”?Which tense is correct: Was or WereIn English, does the verb “wish” use subjunctive or indicative?it was as easy OR were as easyWhen to use “If I was” vs. “If I were”?was or were in Subjunctive MoodWhich is correct: “what if there was” or “what if there were”?Difference between 'If ..was' and 'If …were'Correct usage of was/were on the object of a sentence“if it were possible” vs “if it was possible”Correct usage of “were” or “was”?A weird usage of “were” instead of “was”was or were in Subjunctive Mood“If I was to” vs. “If I were to”Which is correct “I wished I was a painter” or “I wished I were a painter”?“I wish there were,” or “I wish there was,” which sounds most natural?
Possible Duplicate:
“If I was” or “If I were”. Which is more common, and which is correct?
Which one is the correct form: "Wish I was here" or "wish I were here"? I've heard both of them many times but I don't know which one is correct.
grammar subjunctive-mood
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38
Community♦
1
asked Sep 5 '12 at 13:03
ImanIman
207125
|
show 2 more comments
Possible Duplicate:
“If I was” or “If I were”. Which is more common, and which is correct?
Which one is the correct form: "Wish I was here" or "wish I were here"? I've heard both of them many times but I don't know which one is correct.
grammar subjunctive-mood
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38
Community♦
1
asked Sep 5 '12 at 13:03
ImanIman
207125
2
'Wish I were here' makes no logical sense. Do you mean you have heard "wish you were here"?
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:06
1
@RoaringFish: It does make sense. Dickens: "I wish I were going myself," said Charles Darnay, somewhat restlessly, and like one thinking aloud. Shakespeare: Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here he would use me with estimation. George Eliot: "I wish I were like you." Emily Dickinson: I wish I were the hay! Charlotte Bronte: I wish I were in a quiet island with only you Bram Stoker: I wish I were safe out of it
– Hugo
Sep 5 '12 at 13:22
@Hugo~ think! If you wish you were here (and none of your examples say that...), then where are you? You can't be 'here' because then it would be real and not a wish. If you are not 'here', you don't exist...
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:26
1
@RoaringFish Yes, but that's not a grammatical problem: the usage is not incorrect. At best, it's absurd.
– MetaEd♦
Sep 5 '12 at 15:29
2
This is not the same question, and should not have been closed. Whether the verb wish governs the past subjunctive is utterly different from whether the conjunction if governs the subjunctive, be it past or present. These are not at all the same thing.
– tchrist♦
Oct 18 '12 at 17:44
|
show 2 more comments
Possible Duplicate:
“If I was” or “If I were”. Which is more common, and which is correct?
Which one is the correct form: "Wish I was here" or "wish I were here"? I've heard both of them many times but I don't know which one is correct.
grammar subjunctive-mood
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38
Community♦
1
asked Sep 5 '12 at 13:03
ImanIman
207125
Possible Duplicate:
“If I was” or “If I were”. Which is more common, and which is correct?
Which one is the correct form: "Wish I was here" or "wish I were here"? I've heard both of them many times but I don't know which one is correct.
grammar subjunctive-mood
grammar subjunctive-mood
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38
Community♦
1
asked Sep 5 '12 at 13:03
ImanIman
207125
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38
Community♦
1
asked Sep 5 '12 at 13:03
ImanIman
207125
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38
Community♦
1
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38
Community♦
1
edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:38
Community♦
1
1
asked Sep 5 '12 at 13:03
ImanIman
207125
asked Sep 5 '12 at 13:03
ImanIman
207125
asked Sep 5 '12 at 13:03
ImanIman
207125
207125
2
'Wish I were here' makes no logical sense. Do you mean you have heard "wish you were here"?
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:06
1
@RoaringFish: It does make sense. Dickens: "I wish I were going myself," said Charles Darnay, somewhat restlessly, and like one thinking aloud. Shakespeare: Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here he would use me with estimation. George Eliot: "I wish I were like you." Emily Dickinson: I wish I were the hay! Charlotte Bronte: I wish I were in a quiet island with only you Bram Stoker: I wish I were safe out of it
– Hugo
Sep 5 '12 at 13:22
@Hugo~ think! If you wish you were here (and none of your examples say that...), then where are you? You can't be 'here' because then it would be real and not a wish. If you are not 'here', you don't exist...
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:26
1
@RoaringFish Yes, but that's not a grammatical problem: the usage is not incorrect. At best, it's absurd.
– MetaEd♦
Sep 5 '12 at 15:29
2
This is not the same question, and should not have been closed. Whether the verb wish governs the past subjunctive is utterly different from whether the conjunction if governs the subjunctive, be it past or present. These are not at all the same thing.
– tchrist♦
Oct 18 '12 at 17:44
|
show 2 more comments
2
'Wish I were here' makes no logical sense. Do you mean you have heard "wish you were here"?
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:06
1
@RoaringFish: It does make sense. Dickens: "I wish I were going myself," said Charles Darnay, somewhat restlessly, and like one thinking aloud. Shakespeare: Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here he would use me with estimation. George Eliot: "I wish I were like you." Emily Dickinson: I wish I were the hay! Charlotte Bronte: I wish I were in a quiet island with only you Bram Stoker: I wish I were safe out of it
– Hugo
Sep 5 '12 at 13:22
@Hugo~ think! If you wish you were here (and none of your examples say that...), then where are you? You can't be 'here' because then it would be real and not a wish. If you are not 'here', you don't exist...
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:26
1
@RoaringFish Yes, but that's not a grammatical problem: the usage is not incorrect. At best, it's absurd.
– MetaEd♦
Sep 5 '12 at 15:29
2
This is not the same question, and should not have been closed. Whether the verb wish governs the past subjunctive is utterly different from whether the conjunction if governs the subjunctive, be it past or present. These are not at all the same thing.
– tchrist♦
Oct 18 '12 at 17:44
2
2
'Wish I were here' makes no logical sense. Do you mean you have heard "wish you were here"?
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:06
'Wish I were here' makes no logical sense. Do you mean you have heard "wish you were here"?
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:06
1
1
@RoaringFish: It does make sense. Dickens: "I wish I were going myself," said Charles Darnay, somewhat restlessly, and like one thinking aloud. Shakespeare: Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here he would use me with estimation. George Eliot: "I wish I were like you." Emily Dickinson: I wish I were the hay! Charlotte Bronte: I wish I were in a quiet island with only you Bram Stoker: I wish I were safe out of it
– Hugo
Sep 5 '12 at 13:22
@RoaringFish: It does make sense. Dickens: "I wish I were going myself," said Charles Darnay, somewhat restlessly, and like one thinking aloud. Shakespeare: Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here he would use me with estimation. George Eliot: "I wish I were like you." Emily Dickinson: I wish I were the hay! Charlotte Bronte: I wish I were in a quiet island with only you Bram Stoker: I wish I were safe out of it
– Hugo
Sep 5 '12 at 13:22
@Hugo~ think! If you wish you were here (and none of your examples say that...), then where are you? You can't be 'here' because then it would be real and not a wish. If you are not 'here', you don't exist...
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:26
@Hugo~ think! If you wish you were here (and none of your examples say that...), then where are you? You can't be 'here' because then it would be real and not a wish. If you are not 'here', you don't exist...
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:26
1
1
@RoaringFish Yes, but that's not a grammatical problem: the usage is not incorrect. At best, it's absurd.
– MetaEd♦
Sep 5 '12 at 15:29
@RoaringFish Yes, but that's not a grammatical problem: the usage is not incorrect. At best, it's absurd.
– MetaEd♦
Sep 5 '12 at 15:29
2
2
This is not the same question, and should not have been closed. Whether the verb wish governs the past subjunctive is utterly different from whether the conjunction if governs the subjunctive, be it past or present. These are not at all the same thing.
– tchrist♦
Oct 18 '12 at 17:44
This is not the same question, and should not have been closed. Whether the verb wish governs the past subjunctive is utterly different from whether the conjunction if governs the subjunctive, be it past or present. These are not at all the same thing.
– tchrist♦
Oct 18 '12 at 17:44
|
show 2 more comments
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
According to OALD, both forms are correct:
I wish I were taller.
I wish I was taller.
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:20
GigiliGigili
3,105163371
add a comment |
The second example uses the subjunctive mood. I consider it more correct, but that is merely my opinion.
See usage at subjunctive in Oxford English Dictionary:
... if I were you; the report recommends that he face the tribunal; it is important that they be aware of the provisions of the act. These examples all contain a verb in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is used to express situations that are hypothetical or not yet realized and is typically used for what is imagined, hoped for, demanded, or expected. In English, the subjunctive mood is fairly uncommon (especially in comparison with other languages, such as Spanish), mainly because most of the functions of the subjunctive are covered by modal verbs such as might, could, and should. In fact, in English, the subjunctive is often indistinguishable from the ordinary indicative mood since its form in most contexts is identical. It is distinctive only in the third person singular, where the normal indicative -s ending is absent ( he face rather than he faces in the example above), and in the verb ‘to be’ ( I were rather than I was, and they be rather than they are in the examples above). In modern English, the subjunctive mood still exists but is regarded in many contexts as optional. Use of the subjunctive tends to convey a more formal tone, but there are few people who would regard its absence as actually wrong. Today, it survives mostly in fixed expressions, as in be that as it may; far be it from me; as it were; lest we forget; God help you; perish the thought; and come what may.
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:14
AleksanderAleksander
1243
add a comment |
When you express a wish, it is recommended that you use the subjunctive mood. So, the sentence,
"I wish I were here" is grammatically more correct.
That said, "I wish I was here" would be acceptable because it's now acceptable to use "was" to talk about wishes.
Hope I answered your question.
I recommend the following sites for great grammar info:
http://englishisducksoup.com
http://www.queens-english-society.com
answered Mar 7 at 15:41
MikeMike
12
add a comment |
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3 Answers
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active
oldest
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
According to OALD, both forms are correct:
I wish I were taller.
I wish I was taller.
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:20
GigiliGigili
3,105163371
add a comment |
According to OALD, both forms are correct:
I wish I were taller.
I wish I was taller.
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:20
GigiliGigili
3,105163371
add a comment |
According to OALD, both forms are correct:
I wish I were taller.
I wish I was taller.
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:20
GigiliGigili
3,105163371
According to OALD, both forms are correct:
I wish I were taller.
I wish I was taller.
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:20
GigiliGigili
3,105163371
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:20
GigiliGigili
3,105163371
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:20
GigiliGigili
3,105163371
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:20
GigiliGigili
3,105163371
3,105163371
add a comment |
add a comment |
The second example uses the subjunctive mood. I consider it more correct, but that is merely my opinion.
See usage at subjunctive in Oxford English Dictionary:
... if I were you; the report recommends that he face the tribunal; it is important that they be aware of the provisions of the act. These examples all contain a verb in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is used to express situations that are hypothetical or not yet realized and is typically used for what is imagined, hoped for, demanded, or expected. In English, the subjunctive mood is fairly uncommon (especially in comparison with other languages, such as Spanish), mainly because most of the functions of the subjunctive are covered by modal verbs such as might, could, and should. In fact, in English, the subjunctive is often indistinguishable from the ordinary indicative mood since its form in most contexts is identical. It is distinctive only in the third person singular, where the normal indicative -s ending is absent ( he face rather than he faces in the example above), and in the verb ‘to be’ ( I were rather than I was, and they be rather than they are in the examples above). In modern English, the subjunctive mood still exists but is regarded in many contexts as optional. Use of the subjunctive tends to convey a more formal tone, but there are few people who would regard its absence as actually wrong. Today, it survives mostly in fixed expressions, as in be that as it may; far be it from me; as it were; lest we forget; God help you; perish the thought; and come what may.
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:14
AleksanderAleksander
1243
add a comment |
The second example uses the subjunctive mood. I consider it more correct, but that is merely my opinion.
See usage at subjunctive in Oxford English Dictionary:
... if I were you; the report recommends that he face the tribunal; it is important that they be aware of the provisions of the act. These examples all contain a verb in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is used to express situations that are hypothetical or not yet realized and is typically used for what is imagined, hoped for, demanded, or expected. In English, the subjunctive mood is fairly uncommon (especially in comparison with other languages, such as Spanish), mainly because most of the functions of the subjunctive are covered by modal verbs such as might, could, and should. In fact, in English, the subjunctive is often indistinguishable from the ordinary indicative mood since its form in most contexts is identical. It is distinctive only in the third person singular, where the normal indicative -s ending is absent ( he face rather than he faces in the example above), and in the verb ‘to be’ ( I were rather than I was, and they be rather than they are in the examples above). In modern English, the subjunctive mood still exists but is regarded in many contexts as optional. Use of the subjunctive tends to convey a more formal tone, but there are few people who would regard its absence as actually wrong. Today, it survives mostly in fixed expressions, as in be that as it may; far be it from me; as it were; lest we forget; God help you; perish the thought; and come what may.
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:14
AleksanderAleksander
1243
add a comment |
The second example uses the subjunctive mood. I consider it more correct, but that is merely my opinion.
See usage at subjunctive in Oxford English Dictionary:
... if I were you; the report recommends that he face the tribunal; it is important that they be aware of the provisions of the act. These examples all contain a verb in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is used to express situations that are hypothetical or not yet realized and is typically used for what is imagined, hoped for, demanded, or expected. In English, the subjunctive mood is fairly uncommon (especially in comparison with other languages, such as Spanish), mainly because most of the functions of the subjunctive are covered by modal verbs such as might, could, and should. In fact, in English, the subjunctive is often indistinguishable from the ordinary indicative mood since its form in most contexts is identical. It is distinctive only in the third person singular, where the normal indicative -s ending is absent ( he face rather than he faces in the example above), and in the verb ‘to be’ ( I were rather than I was, and they be rather than they are in the examples above). In modern English, the subjunctive mood still exists but is regarded in many contexts as optional. Use of the subjunctive tends to convey a more formal tone, but there are few people who would regard its absence as actually wrong. Today, it survives mostly in fixed expressions, as in be that as it may; far be it from me; as it were; lest we forget; God help you; perish the thought; and come what may.
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:14
AleksanderAleksander
1243
The second example uses the subjunctive mood. I consider it more correct, but that is merely my opinion.
See usage at subjunctive in Oxford English Dictionary:
... if I were you; the report recommends that he face the tribunal; it is important that they be aware of the provisions of the act. These examples all contain a verb in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is used to express situations that are hypothetical or not yet realized and is typically used for what is imagined, hoped for, demanded, or expected. In English, the subjunctive mood is fairly uncommon (especially in comparison with other languages, such as Spanish), mainly because most of the functions of the subjunctive are covered by modal verbs such as might, could, and should. In fact, in English, the subjunctive is often indistinguishable from the ordinary indicative mood since its form in most contexts is identical. It is distinctive only in the third person singular, where the normal indicative -s ending is absent ( he face rather than he faces in the example above), and in the verb ‘to be’ ( I were rather than I was, and they be rather than they are in the examples above). In modern English, the subjunctive mood still exists but is regarded in many contexts as optional. Use of the subjunctive tends to convey a more formal tone, but there are few people who would regard its absence as actually wrong. Today, it survives mostly in fixed expressions, as in be that as it may; far be it from me; as it were; lest we forget; God help you; perish the thought; and come what may.
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:14
AleksanderAleksander
1243
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:14
AleksanderAleksander
1243
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:14
AleksanderAleksander
1243
answered Sep 5 '12 at 13:14
AleksanderAleksander
1243
1243
add a comment |
add a comment |
When you express a wish, it is recommended that you use the subjunctive mood. So, the sentence,
"I wish I were here" is grammatically more correct.
That said, "I wish I was here" would be acceptable because it's now acceptable to use "was" to talk about wishes.
Hope I answered your question.
I recommend the following sites for great grammar info:
http://englishisducksoup.com
http://www.queens-english-society.com
answered Mar 7 at 15:41
MikeMike
12
add a comment |
When you express a wish, it is recommended that you use the subjunctive mood. So, the sentence,
"I wish I were here" is grammatically more correct.
That said, "I wish I was here" would be acceptable because it's now acceptable to use "was" to talk about wishes.
Hope I answered your question.
I recommend the following sites for great grammar info:
http://englishisducksoup.com
http://www.queens-english-society.com
answered Mar 7 at 15:41
MikeMike
12
add a comment |
When you express a wish, it is recommended that you use the subjunctive mood. So, the sentence,
"I wish I were here" is grammatically more correct.
That said, "I wish I was here" would be acceptable because it's now acceptable to use "was" to talk about wishes.
Hope I answered your question.
I recommend the following sites for great grammar info:
http://englishisducksoup.com
http://www.queens-english-society.com
answered Mar 7 at 15:41
MikeMike
12
When you express a wish, it is recommended that you use the subjunctive mood. So, the sentence,
"I wish I were here" is grammatically more correct.
That said, "I wish I was here" would be acceptable because it's now acceptable to use "was" to talk about wishes.
Hope I answered your question.
I recommend the following sites for great grammar info:
http://englishisducksoup.com
http://www.queens-english-society.com
answered Mar 7 at 15:41
MikeMike
12
answered Mar 7 at 15:41
MikeMike
12
answered Mar 7 at 15:41
MikeMike
12
answered Mar 7 at 15:41
MikeMike
12
12
add a comment |
add a comment |
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2
'Wish I were here' makes no logical sense. Do you mean you have heard "wish you were here"?
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:06
1
@RoaringFish: It does make sense. Dickens: "I wish I were going myself," said Charles Darnay, somewhat restlessly, and like one thinking aloud. Shakespeare: Sirrah, if thy captain knew I were here he would use me with estimation. George Eliot: "I wish I were like you." Emily Dickinson: I wish I were the hay! Charlotte Bronte: I wish I were in a quiet island with only you Bram Stoker: I wish I were safe out of it
– Hugo
Sep 5 '12 at 13:22
@Hugo~ think! If you wish you were here (and none of your examples say that...), then where are you? You can't be 'here' because then it would be real and not a wish. If you are not 'here', you don't exist...
– Roaring Fish
Sep 5 '12 at 13:26
1
@RoaringFish Yes, but that's not a grammatical problem: the usage is not incorrect. At best, it's absurd.
– MetaEd♦
Sep 5 '12 at 15:29
2
This is not the same question, and should not have been closed. Whether the verb wish governs the past subjunctive is utterly different from whether the conjunction if governs the subjunctive, be it past or present. These are not at all the same thing.
– tchrist♦
Oct 18 '12 at 17:44