|
|
#2 (permalink) Thu Jul 27, 2006 14:53 pm 'If they were me': many-to-one map? :) |
|
|
. If they were me, they would is acceptable informal English. Usually, however, we reverse the positions: If I were they/them, I would. It is difficult to be sure of what 'they' would do. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
|
Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
|
|
#3 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:46 am If I were they |
|
|
| Mister Micawber wrote: |
| Usually, however, we reverse the positions: If I were they/them, I would. |
If I were they/them? Oh, my god…
Thank you, Mister Micawber. I’ll try to use it :) Even though for me the reversed phrase expresses quite different meaning (that seems to be even more difficult to imagine with no risk for the wholeness of personality :) than to suppose fearlessly others’ feelings or actions in my initial one). _________________ It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
|
Tamara I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 1577 Location: UK
|
 |
#4 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 8:51 am 'If they were me': many-to-one map? :) |
|
|
. I'm not saying that will necessarily work in what you are writing, Tamara, but usually a context reads something like this:
Look at those kids trying to lift their car out of the ditch-- it's impossible, it's too heavy! If I were they, I would call a tow truck. . _________________ Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's |
|
Mister Micawber Language Coach
Joined: 17 Jul 2005 Posts: 13015
|
 |
#5 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:07 am 'If they were me': many-to-one map? :) |
|
|
| Mister Micawber wrote: |
| .Look at those kids trying to lift their car out of the ditch-- it's impossible, it's too heavy! If I were they, I would call a tow truck. |
I'd expect to hear a "native-speaker" grammar mistake in this sentence (on both sides of the pond. 8)), i.e., the word "them" instead of "they". . _________________ "Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln |
|
Yankee I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 16 Apr 2006 Posts: 8316 Location: USA
|
 |
#6 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:12 am 'If they were me': many-to-one map? :) |
|
|
Hi
| Mister Micawber wrote: |
Look at those kids trying to lift their car out of the ditch-- it's impossible, it's too heavy! If I were they, I would call a tow truck. . |
Excellent example! (by it's content, I mean)
Just a note from a not-very-advanced-and-too-slangy non-native. ;) As for me, ‘If I were they’ sounds not a bit worse (and logical, as well ;)) as ‘If I were you’ (not ‘your’ or whatever). Moreover, I suppose, if I was forced to make a choice between 'If I were she' and 'If I were her', I might choose the first, as well. Probably. And with no reasons ;)
P.S. Anyway, my need was (and is) to say something like: I’m sure [as I know them both for ages], if they were me [I'm in a situation of doing a choice concerning to finance] they both would refuse the offer [for some reasons]. Since it’s alright with informal English ‘if-they-were-me’, I’ll dare to say it quite surely :)
Thank you! Tamara _________________ It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
|
Tamara I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 1577 Location: UK
|
 |
#7 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 13:16 pm 'If they were me': many-to-one map? :) |
|
|
| Tamara, you could also use the expressions: If they were in my shoes/in my position/in my skin. |
|
Conchita Language Coach

Joined: 26 Dec 2005 Posts: 2826 Location: Madrid, Spain
|
 |
#8 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 14:30 pm 'If they were me': many-to-one map? :) |
|
|
Hi guys;
| Tamara wrote: |
Moreover, I suppose, if I was forced to make a choice between 'If I were she' and 'If I were her', I might choose the first, as well. Probably. And with no reasons ;)
|
That was an interesting discussion but as far as I know, the structure is
if+ Subject + was/were+objective
As you all know that pronouns can take different form when it is in subject and objective positions. For instance, the pronoun (she) as subject takes the form her as in objective position. So if I have to choose between 'If I were she' and 'If I were her', I will go for 'If I were her'. Am I correct or not.
Thanks in advance. Baraa |
|
Bara You can meet me at english-test.net
Joined: 21 Jul 2004 Posts: 60
|
 |
#9 (permalink) Fri Jul 28, 2006 18:44 pm If I were she? |
|
|
Thank you, Conchita. Sometimes my shoes become rather (too :) ) tight even for me myself :)
Hi bara,
| Quote: |
| Am I correct or not. |
You’re correct, but I don’t know how much, if we’re talking about informal English. ‘If I were her’ is undoubtedly right standard English (in contrast to the other :) ).
In my language I could say both (and will be understood), but the second ('if I were she') sounds very unnatural. Much more… _________________ It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
|
Tamara I'm a Communicator ;-)

Joined: 25 May 2006 Posts: 1577 Location: UK
|
 |
|
| Meaning of "take my breath away" | 'Too' – word order (e.g. I too am interested…) |