I wish I were VERSUS I wish I was

[Cooliegirly]

The following sentences all contain parts that I'm not really sure if they are grammatically correct to use when I'm writing. Should I use the original verb form or the one in the ()

I wish I were (was)...

If I failed my final, I would have not passed the class(would not pass the class).

If I could have studied (studied) some more, I wouldn't have to be so nervous before the exam.

If I did better on my final, I could have gotten (would have gotten) an A for the class.

[Pamela]

I wish I were (was)..only were

[Sls]

Hi, cooliegirly. I think Pamela is right at least about the first two sentences. I've tried to explain them here:

I wish I were...

The following pair of sentences shows the traditional and useful distinction:

"If I was a hopeless cad, I apologize."
-- If you think that I behaved unmannerly earlier (in the past, yesterday, last week, ...), I'm sorry for that! Forgive me!
"If I were a hopeless cad, I would never apologize."
-- I'm not a hopeless cad but if I were, I would never apologize (because hopeless cads never apologize).
This is purely hypothetical. The "I wish I were" structure is hypothetical, too. That's why we use "I were".
(examples from http://alt-usage-english.org/excerpts/fxifiwas.html)


If I failed my final (in the future), I would not pass the class (in the future).
Compare with
If I fail my final (in the future), I will not pass the class (in the future).
The sentence in bold has the same meaning but suggests that failing the final is not likely, in other words - there is a small probability of failing the final.

I'm not sure about the other sentences. There are a number of different variants which have different meanings. Here's a summary of the the first three conditional types in English. I don't have time right now to give the others. Note the use of the comma when the If-clause comes first.

Present-Present (Zero Conditional)

Used for: General truths and scientific facts
Suggests that: If the condition is met, the result is generally always true.
Examples:
If you push the red button, the machine starts.
If you win the Nobel Prize, you get a lot of money.
People always complain about traffic if they travel at rush hour.
If you freeze water, it turns into ice.

Present-Future (First Conditional)

Used for: Specific situations in the present or future
Suggests that: If we meet the condition, we're very likely to get the result we expect.
Examples:
If you take the 5.35 bus, you will get here at 6 o'clock.
If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
If I leave now, I will get there in time but if I dawdle, I will be late.
Note: It is also possible to use this instead of the zero conditional - If you push the red button, the machine will start.

Past-Conditional (Second conditional)

Used for:
a) Same as First Conditional
b) (More commonly) Hypothetical situations in the present or future
Suggests that:
a) There is a smaller probability of meeting the condition than with the first conditional.
b) The condition is untrue but we imagine what it would be like if it was true. (In the present or future)
Examples:
a) It would be difficult to get there if it snowed. (Most likely it won't snow but if it does snow, it will be difficult to get there)
b) If I had some free time, I would help you. (I don't have time so I won't help you)
If I had money, I would buy a motorbike. (I don't have money so I won't buy a motorbike)

[Pamela]

If I could have studied some more, I wouldn't have to be so nervous before the exam.
I think this sentence is fine only if there is an indication, "now", for example, in the principal clause or "yesterday', perhaps, in the subordinate clause.

[Yankee]

Hi cooliegirly

I'll add my comments about your sentences:

1.

[Yankee]

It's me again, cooliegirly.

In my first post, I didn't think long enough about the 4th sentence, so I'd like to add some thoughts:

4. (using the word could):

[Cooliegirly]

Ah, thanks all of you. Amy, this is how I summarize your explanation, I hope I'm doing alright:

If one did this, that wouldn't happen.
If one had done this, that wouldn't have happened.
Exception: First act is in the past, second act is in the future.

If one could have done this, that wouldn't happen. (first act is in the past, second is in the future)
If one did this, that wouldn't happen. (both acts are in the future)

If one did this, that could have happened. (first act is in the past, second is in the future)
If one did this, that would have happened. (since this is informal, to be safe I will not use it when I write)

[Alan]

Hi Cooliegirly,

If you can take any more, I'll refer you to a couple of items I've written on conditionals and the subjunctive, which you may find useful:

Conditionals
http://www.english-test.net/lessons/13/index.html

Subjunctives
http://www.english-test.net/lessons/15/index.html

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Make or Do?

[Cooliegirly]

That's very helpful, but I'm just going to learn it later.

Actually I'm more confused now.

[Timtak]

Yankeen wrote

[Alan]

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Hi,

The trouble with English is that unlike other languages we don't really have a subjunctive that you can actually see. What we do is use the same form as the indicative - the form that says it how it is. We say: If I only knew what the truth was, I .... Now 'knew' isn't really the past and so we call it the unreal past or the subjunctive. The only verb that undergoes a change is the verb 'be' and so we show it off and say: If I were you, I ....Now of course this form 'were' is slipping out of favour and 'was' is taking its place and it's now becoming regarded as old hat and is only used by the older generation, of which I am a paid up member. The 'was' camp say that saying 'if' is enough on its own and we don't need to fiddle around with 'were'.

Alan
_________________
English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story Sea Expressions

[Timtak]

Thank you Alan.

I guess I am old then. I am 43.

I see that there are those that say "was" and "were" mean different things, as Sls above