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
You can read my ESL story A spring in your step

[Gray]

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

Does it mean the second clause can also be real and not only unreal like -- "I would have worked very hard..."?
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First lesson - English, not english. I, not i. ~A student of English

[Alan]

Hi Gray,

The second clause is also in the world of 'unreality' because of course 'I' am not 'you'.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Word Story: Dictionary

[Gray]

[Alan]

Hi Gray,

It is still only a hypothesis, surely.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Colour Idioms