Subjunctive form

[sakthi]

Test No. incompl/elem-11 "Conditionals", question 7

If I ......... you, I should work very hard so that I could earn more money.

(a) am
(b) were
(c) are

Test No. incompl/elem-11 "Conditionals", answer 7

If I were you, I should work very hard so that I could earn more money.

Correct answer: (b) were

Your answer was: correct
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For singular past "was " need to be used.why were is used here?

[Alan]

This is the subjunctive form or unreal past. It suggests if I should be you.
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English as a Second Language
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