If i was a policeman vs if i were policemen

[Muller]

Hello what is the difference between these two sentences and which one is correct?

If I was a policeman.

If I were a policeman.

Please give me some exaples using the above sentences.

[Morteza]

Hi,
I think the second one is correct ,because in conditional sentences type(2) it's gramatically correct to use WERE not WAS:
If I were you,I would tell her the truth.
If he were a policeman,he could catch thieves/robbers red-handed.
However,both WAS and WERE are right when IT is a subject: :shock:
If it was/were nice today,we could go on a picnic.
Hope this helps,
Morteza

[Mister Micawber]

.
The subject is irrelevant. 'Were' is the formal subjunctive form for conditions contrary to fact: 'If I were king', 'if it were sunny today'. However, this form is being replaced by the indicative 'was', which is now common in conversation. Both relate to the present.

For a reference to past fact, 'was' is fine: 'If I was rude last night, please forgive me', 'If you were rude last night, I forgive you'.
.
_________________
Native English teacher at Mister Micawber's

[Muller]

Thank you Mr Mister Micawber for your clarification. you have made a nice point . were is the formal contrary to fact.

Can we say: If I was a policeman I could arrest him last night.

[Muller]

Hey Morteza, I did not know if it can go with both was and were. Thank you for the explanation
Muller

[SkiIucK]

[Rfaleet]

Hello everybody

We usually use the subjunctive were instead of "was" after if (and other words with similar meaning). Look at these sentences:

- If I were you, I would ask her.
- Suppose she were here. What would you say?

We sometimes hear things like "if I were you, I would go" or "if he were here, he would tell you". Normally, the past tense of the verb "to be" is: I was, he was. But the if I were you structure does not use the past simple tense of the verb "to be". It uses the past subjunctive of the verb "to be

in formal we say If I were younger, I would go but, in informal we say If I was younger, I would go.

We do not normally say "if I was you", even in familiar conversation.
_________________
Give your smile to everyone but give your heart to only one

[Muller]

Hello Mr SkiIuck,
Thank you so much for the correction, there is a saying in English <say learning by doing>, I hope your correction will stick in my mind and I won't make any mistake with that form again. I am improving
Best Regards
Muller