Why "were" instead of "was"?!

[Mixmixi]

Hi Alan,
Today I was chatting with a native speaker, he was talking about the weather with me, and in one of his sentences he told me that "I wish it were warm". I am sure that his sentence refers to weather, but the thing that is killing me, is why he used "were" instead of "was" in his sentence? As far as you are native too, I wanted to ask this question from you. Appreciate your helps.

Mixmixi
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[Geo777]

Hello,
What does it mean - "an instant culture"?

"We have instant coffee, instant tea, chocolate, cookies, instant frozen dinners, instant everything. We've got an instant culture, don't we?

Thank you.
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[Mixmixi]

I think here it means urgent.
"We have instant coffee (you can make coffee in a few seconds), instant tea (like what I told about coffee), chocolate, cookies, instant frozen dinners (Fast foods, without any needs of cooking) , instant everything. We've got an instant culture (So, the culture transformed to a fast and urgent culture), don't we?

P.S: I am waiting for my answer.

Mixmixi
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[Geo777]

Sometimes speakers use the subjunctive to express a wish, a condition that is contrary to fact (not true), a condition of uncertainty (it may be or not true).
I wish I were a millionaire. (wish)
If i were you, I should give up the contest. (contrary to fact)
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[Mixmixi]

That was really useful Geo, thank you, and I have another question, do we have any grammar for making such sentences?

Mixmixi
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[Geo777]

do we have any grammar for making such sentences?

What do you mean?
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[Geo777]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subjunctive_mood
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[Mixmixi]

Thank you Geo, I've got my answer.

Mixmixi
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[Geo777]

You are wellcome
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[Nola]

Hello Maximixi,
We usually use "were" instead of "was" when we talk about wishes even with the third person e.g."He, She and It"
e.g. If I were you, I would tell the truth.
e.g. I wish she were here to tell her the truth.

Hope that will help.

Regards,
Nola
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Nola

[Mixmixi]

Thank you Nola, a good and vivid example. appreciate that.

Mixmixi
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[Naz]

Hello Mixmixi!
"were" is used when we talk about our wish or desire of which we can just think or imagine. In other words,improbable situation reveal this mood.
Fro example, If I were you, I would join a good institute.
If she were a millionaire, she could definitely help you.
Now we are supposed to put "were" with singular and plural pronouns as this is considered as a wish.
Regards
Naz

[Mixmixi]

Hi Naz,
Thank you for your explanations, I think I am fully understood now.

Mixmixi
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