Sparky: It's a beautiful day! Let's go for a walk.

Mr.Maru: If I weren't so tired, I would love to go for a walk, but not today.

Sparky: Why not? If I was a human, I might go for a walk every day.

Mr.Maru: But, you are not, so you have to stay at home.

Sparky: If I was you, I could take me for a walk.

Mr.Maru: Yes, you could, but you are not me, so go run around the house for awhile.

Sparky: If I was in a bigger house, I could do that, but we aren't.

Mr.Maru: Could you just stop complaining?

Sparky: If I was you, I would give me some dog treats. Then, I would stop complaining.

Mr.Maru: All right, all right.

(NOTE: Sparky always uses wrong grammar.)

How do we use the subjunctive with if statements? This can be very useful to talk about hypothetical (not true) situations. The grammar can be a little difficult though. Let's talk about some examples and go over some simple rules.

Using if for Present Hypothetical Situations

If we want to talk about present situation, we can use 'were'. This use of 'were' is usually called the subjunctive or subjunctive mood. The subjunctive is used to talk about a situation that is not true now. For example,

If I were a doctor, I would make more money. (I'm not a doctor. I don't make more money now.)
If this seat were any smaller, I wouldn't be able to fit in it. (The seat isn't smaller, but if the seat were smaller, I would not fit in it.)

We can also use modals (would, could, might) with this form to talk about probability. For example,

If I were richer, I would travel the world. (I'm not richer. I will travel the world, if I become richer.)

If I were richer, I could buy a new TV. (I'm not richer. I can buy a new TV, if I become richer.)
If I were richer, I might keep working. (I'm not richer. I may keep working, if I become richer.)

Using if and the Subjunctive to Give Advice

We can also use this structure give a person advice. We can use 'If I were you...' to give advice in an indirect or soft way. For example,

If I were you, I would save more money. (I think you should save more money.)
If I were you, I shouldn't work so hard. (I think you shouldn't work so hard. This is mostly British English and not often used.)

Should you Use 'were' or 'was'?

Some speakers will use 'was' in this structure. For example,

If I was stronger, I could be a wrestler.
If I was you, I would leave this town.

Although this is becoming more and more common. Most people consider using 'were' to be more correct and natural sounding. For example,

If I were stronger, I could be a wrestler.
If I were you, I would leave this town.

Be careful when using this structure. It is better to be too correct than sound foolish.

Do you think you understand? Let's try some questions.

1) If I _______, I would eat less fast food. You need to lose weight.

A) was you

B) were skinner
C) were you

2) If I were hungry, I ________ eat it. It looks delicious.

A) would

B) could
C) might

3) If ___________, I could see into my neighbor's yard. I wondering what he is doing back there.

A) this fence were to be higher

B) this fence were lower
C) I were shorter

Answers

1) – C) We are giving advice, so we should use 'if I were you...'

2) – A) The modal 'would' is most natural because the food looks delicious. If the speaker becomes hungry, the speaker will eat it.

3) – B) The fence is high. If the fence becomes shorter, I will see into my neighbor's yard.

Thanks for stopping by and visiting. If you have a question about grammar, please email me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or leave a comment below. Thanks!

Photos provided by Jo Christensen Oterhals and Clever Cupcakes available under a Generic Creative Commons License.