I wish I WAS sure... » beardedlady

Posted by Kar on April 28, 2002, at 6:20:59

In reply to I wish I WERE dead; PALlette » Shar, posted by beardedlady on April 27, 2002, at 6:35:13

This is interesting- and I would never challenge Beardy's word...I always use "were" and "was" that way too. Then I heard this woman- some noted grammarian who wrote "Woe is I" (a witty little book on grammatical rules and blunders but for the life of me I can't remember her name)talking on NPR. And SHE said that "were" should be used in cases where it is not likely or possible that you would find yourself in that state (as in I wish I were a cat") and "was" should be used for everything else. I don't like it and haven't changed my ways...but this would imply that the proper way would be, "I wish I was dead". I dunno.
I wish I was/were able to answer your question! :)
Kar

Thread

Okay, I've held my tongue for long enough. beardedlady 4/25/02
...
Oh now I see what you meant! Tks alot for tutoring (nm) » beardedlady Ron Hill 4/26/02
BL...I still don't get it. Could you splain? (nm) » beardedlady Shar 4/26/02
Its [sic] alot [sic] of work. Too much. (nm) » Shar beardedlady 4/26/02
Alot or A Lot? » Shar IsoM 4/26/02
What is it calling? (nm) » IsoM Zo 4/26/02
Nerves are very bad - loosens everything up (nm) » Zo IsoM 4/26/02
Ohhhhhhhhhhhh » beardedlady Shar 4/27/02
What's the hold up on the med delivery? » IsoM Ron Hill 4/27/02
Re: I had to ask. ;o) (nm) » IsoM Zo 4/27/02
I wish I WERE dead; PALlette » Shar beardedlady 4/27/02
Re: I wish I WERE dead; PALlette..Beardy colin wallace 4/27/02
Slow med delivery and results » Ron Hill IsoM 4/27/02
I wish I WAS sure... » beardedlady Kar 4/28/02
Amn't I? beardedlady 4/28/02
How about the substitution trick? » beardedlady Shar 4/28/02
substitutions beardedlady 4/28/02
...take out your pencil? (nm) » beardedlady IsoM 4/28/02
well, yes--if you're talking to them! (nm) » IsoM beardedlady 4/28/02
Grammar unique to this site » beardedlady Shar 4/29/02
Re: Grammar unique to this site » Shar beardedlady 4/29/02
Re: FORT » beardedlady Zo 4/29/02
You mean the foy-A? » Zo beardedlady 4/29/02

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poster:Kar thread:22637
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20020422/msgs/22731.html