[Nibile]

I have many doubts, but one in particular.
when making a hypothesis using the verb "to be", is it correct to use the form "were" also for 1st and 2nd person singular?
example:
"I will party as if it was the last day of Earth" or "I will party as if it were the last day on Earth"?
or
"I think as if I was immortal" or "I think as if I were immortal"?

in these sentences, in Italian we must use the "subjunctive mode", that is specific to express doubts and hypothesis, but it doesn't exist in English, does it? is the form "were" some kind of spcific form for hypothesis?
thanks.

[tommytwotone]

Ohhh, English grammar...my favourite. And probably a chance to shoot myself right in the foot!

I think that the exam answer is that you should use "were" in your example above, but I think in everyday speech it would probably be more common to hear "was".

More on subjuntive here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/English_subjunctive

[GCW]

You are moving into Second Conditional here Nibs.  Theoretically either is correct, but many consider were to be the more correct.

[Nibile]

thank you guys!!!
does this happen with other verbs or only "to be" has this form?

[GCW]

No, you can use it in other verbs.  eg "If I went to Parisella's, I'd crush the fuck out of Lou Ferrino".

[Nibile]

that's not a hypothesis.
it's a fact.
 

thanks you, I got what you mean. it's rather complex to be honest. the fact that the forms are spelled the same as the indicative makes it very difficult for me. also, in Italian the futur subj. does not exist. another thing to learn dammit.

good link to the wiki, thanks really.

[Nibile]

so, are these ones corretc?
 
- if I were to go to Parisella's tomorrow, I'd call you.
- if I go to Parisella's tomorrow, I'll call you.
- if you were in Parisella's yesterday, you would have seen me crush Louis Armstrong.
- I suppose that he be in Parisella's right now.
- I wish I were in Parisella's right now.
- if you had bought the topo yesterday, now you would know where Louis Armstrong start from.
- I supposed that he had left for Parisella's before I got to the appointment.

[GCW]

so, are these ones corretc?
 
- if I were to go to Parisella's tomorrow, I'd call you.
- if I go to Parisella's tomorrow, I'll call you.
- if you were in Parisella's yesterday, you would have seen me crush Louis Armstrong.
- I wish I were in Parisella's right now.

Yup.

- I suppose that he be in Parisella's right now.
- if you had bought the topo yesterday, now you would know where Louis Armstrong start from.
- I supposed that he had left for Parisella's before I got to the appointment.

I suppose that he is in Parasella's right now- less theoretical.
If you had bought the topo yesterday you would know where Louis Armstrong starts from.
Not sure what you mean in the last one?

[slackline]

I don't know the formal rules but I I were saying/writing these I'd have...

- if I were to go to Parisella's tomorrow, I'd call you.
- if I go to Parisella's tomorrow, I'll call you.

The second and not the first.

- if you were in Parisella's yesterday, you would have seen me crush Louis Armstrong.

Nothing wrong with that at all.

- I suppose that he'll be in Parisella's right now.

Just a little bit more (could also use 'he will' which the above is a shortening of).

- I wish I were in Parisella's right now.

Nothing wrong with that at all.

- if you had bought the topo yesterday , now you would now know where Louis Armstrong starts from.

Don't think the original was wrong but this feels more appropriate.

- I supposed that he had left for Parisella's before I got to the appointment.

No need for the 'd' on supposed unless your talking about what you thought in the past in which case its fine.

[Nibile]

 
pints for everyone as soon as I come North. hopefully soon!!!

[Paul B]

pints for everyone as soon as I come North. hopefully soon!!!

I think, after reading your latest blog you might seriously like the Broadfield and its 140 or so offerings. Not cheap but then you'll be able to pick something to replace your drained Laphroaig.

[GCW]

I don't know the formal rules but I I were saying/writing these I'd have...

- if I were to go to Parisella's tomorrow, I'd call you.
- if I go to Parisella's tomorrow, I'll call you.

Both are technically correct, but the latter sounds less clunky.

[fried]

I don't know the formal rules but I I were saying/writing these I'd have...

- if I were to go to Parisella's tomorrow, I'd call you.
- if I go to Parisella's tomorrow, I'll call you.

Both are technically correct, but the latter sounds less clunky.

Both are completely correct but talk about different things; the first is 2nd conditional and talks about a theoretical sitation, the second is 1st cond. and talk about a probable situation.

Where one ends and the other starts is open to interpretation.

[fried]

- if you had bought the topo yesterday , now you would now know where Louis Armstrong starts from.

Don't think the original was wrong but this feels more appropriate.

You have 2 possibilities.

-If you had bought the topo, you would have known where LA started from. (third cond. impossible since you didn't buy it and the whole phrase is in the past).

-If you had bought the topo, you would know where LA starts from. (Mixed cond. impossible again but now refers to the present).

[Nibile]

ok, thanks again, the pint list grow bigger!!!
so, third and mixed conditional are what we call "hypotethical period of 3rd or 2nd type".
thanks again!!!
 

[robertostallioni]

This is fine

- I suppose that he be in Parisella's right now.

if you look like this