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I was or I were and when can i use ?

English is not my native language so, sometimes I hear some people using I was and I were so I'm confused.

Was is singular — I was, he was, she was, it was. Were is plural — we were, they were.

The exception is when you're making a conditional statement — If I were a rich man, if she were my sister, and so on.

AhmedMossaied · 31-35, M

@DunningKruger my question about I were so it's depending on conditional statement

DunningKruger · 61-69, M

There is a complicating factor here. You would say "I were" if you're speaking about an unreal condition — If I were a rich man, if I were on Mars and so on. If you're speaking about an actual occurrence — If I was offensive, I apologize — then you still use was.

AhmedMossaied · 31-35, M

@DunningKruger thank you Doctor

PeanutsauntieP1982 · 41-45, F

"I was going to the store." (proper) "I were going to the store (improper). We were going to the store (proper) We was going to the store (improper).

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AhmedMossaied · 31-35, M

@PeanutsauntieP1982 now you know it

PeanutsauntieP1982 · 41-45, F

Motashakr Awi

AhmedMossaied · 31-35, M

You are welcome

lakergoy · 36-40, M

Correctly spoken, I was means a former state of mind or being. I was happy,i was injured . For were ,that means two or more people. We were at the park yesterday, we were sad when our soccer team lost

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AhmedMossaied · 31-35, M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWpsOqh8q0M

lakergoy · 36-40, M

I have restricted data on this phone. It would take all night to download a video

AhmedMossaied · 31-35, M

Just see the song's name

SW-User

it's subject/verb plurality agreement. singular form is was (I, he, it, a fish), plural form is were (we, they, all fish)

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damselfly · 100+, F

You'd say 'were' in a hypothetical situation, to differentiate between it and a literal one. For instance, "If I were able to levitate, I'd never need a parachute." It's not totally wrong to say "was" but "were" in this context is better. And yes I'm a native English speaker.

(Edit just like doctorianr said)

SW-User

@damselfly but then were isn't the been, able is.

AhmedMossaied · 31-35, M

@damselfly thank you for you too and I appreciate your replay

mrmoose · 70-79, M

i was, we were

AhmedMossaied · 31-35, M

@mrmoose no I mean I was and I were
for Example

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWpsOqh8q0M

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AhmedMossaied · 31-35, M

@dunpender I know that
I was
we were
but I'm asking about I were and I is singular

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AhmedMossaied · 31-35, M

@dunpender yes one person can use I with Were sometimes

lakergoy · 36-40, M

I think I have it now. I am we are .I was we were . I will we will . Present past and future tense

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