If I were you vs. if I was you?

[Zishuli]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #347 "English Slang Idioms (68)", question 8

"I wouldn't go in there if I was you. They have been fighting for a while now and ......... are flying!" Matt told Jennifer as she was going to check on her friend Gina.

(a) pillows
(b) feathers
(c) words
(d) paintings

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #347 "English Slang Idioms (68)", answer 8

"I wouldn't go in there if I was you. They have been fighting for a while now and feathers are flying!" Matt told Jennifer as she was going to check on her friend Gina.

Correct answer: (b) feathers

Your answer was: correct
_________________________

Hi,

Is it possible if I say " I wouldn't go there if I 'were' you" , instead of " if I was you" ?

[Mister Micawber]

.
Yes, indeed. Many grammarians consider 'was' substandard here.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Linda]

Yes, that's an typo/an oversight.
_________________
One Way of Learning English Grammar
Learn English with Linda Arlia

[Rfaleet]

We use the second type of conditional for imagination but why we say
If I were you not if I was you ?
_________________
Give your smile to everyone but give your heart to only one

[Cerberus™]

"Were" is the past subjunctive of the verb "to be": it is the only verb which has a past subjunctive that is not identical to its past simple form.

- I went to the zoo yesterday.
- I would be happy if we went to the zoo today; it is a pity that we are at home today.

- I was a the zoo yesterday.
- I would be happy if we were at the zoo today; it is a pity that we are at home today.

Many people have always confused the past subjunctive "were" with the simple past "was"; that is why some grammarians consider "was" for the past subjunctive correct nowadays.

Simple past:

I was
you were
he was

we were
you were
they were

Past subjunctive:

I were (more informally "was")
you were
he were (more informally "was")

we were
you were
they were

[Zinokabyl]

If+simple present--------- future simple/present simple
If+simple past ------------- would+verb in infinitive case
If+past perfect------- have been +past participal of the verb