Which tense is correct: Was or Were

Question

Which is correct?

I wish everything was as easy OR I wish everything were as easy

In writing and formal speech, wish takes the past subjunctive. — tchrist, Sep 16 '18 at 18:51

score -1 · Answer 1 · answered Sep 16 '18 at 18:25

-1

"Everything" is singular, so you should use the singular form "was".

I wish everything was as easy.

answered Sep 16 '18 at 18:25

VictoriaJen

score -1 · Answer 2 · answered Sep 16 '18 at 18:27

-1

Everything is treated as a singular noun. In fact, any noun phrase that contains every is singular.

Every student has three books.

On a cruise, every day is filled with fun.

answered Sep 16 '18 at 18:27

CocoPop

This is irrelevant: wish takes a past tense, usually past subjunctive. – tchrist Sep 16 '18 at 18:54

2 Answers2