If He Were To Win-55 Analysis

Name: __TEACHER’S COPY__ A1 Date: ____________________ Grammar Point 5 - If I Were you…; Imagine He Were to Win /55
A. In sentences with unreal conditions, were can be used after any subject in the if-clause, including singular first and third person subjects. This use of were is sometimes called the past subjunctive, and is generally used only in formal contexts.
Note that although the verb has a past form, reference is to the imagined present or future.
Examples: If your dad were here, I’m sure he wouldn’t let you play on the Xbox. We would not be able to finish the project on time if it were not for her help.

We can use was instead of were with the same meaning (‘If your father was here…’)
However,

If only I weren’t so poor at English. (= If only I wasn’t ...)

(iv) after would rather and would sooner when we talk about preferences:
Examples: I feel terrible about what happened and would rather the event were forgotten. (= …was forgotten.)
I’ve agreed to an interview for next week, I’d sooner it were earlier, if possible. (= …it was earlier…)

(v) in sentences or clauses starting with suppose, supposing and imagine:
Examples: Supposed I were to give you larger discount. Would you consider buying it then? (= Suppose I was…)
I know it looks impossible now, but imagine the agreement were (to be) reached. It would benefit our company immensely. (= …imagine the agreement was…) And in comparisons the were can be used after as if and as though and even if.
Examples: I remember graduating from high school, as if it were yesterday. Despite losing the match, they continue to act as though they were the champion. It would be too late to start the business this year even if it were possible to find a suitable