Again, "if it wasn't" or "if it weren't"?

Asked Apr 28 '20 at 15:39

Active May 31 '21 at 23:46

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I have read a lot of information about this topic, but I still don't know why my book says that the answer is "wasn't" in the following sentence:

If the driving test ___________ so difficult, there would be more accidents.

If this is a hypothetical case (the fact is the test is difficult, not easy), why does my book say the answer is "wasn't" and not "weren't"?

asked Apr 28 '20 at 15:39

Mario

4

It should be weren't. The majority of English speakers hardly ever use the mood formerly known as the past subjunctive, so wasn't is perfectly fine to use, probably even in the most formal writing. – Peter Shor Apr 28 '20 at 15:44
If wasn't is 'perfectly fine' here, as Huddleston, Pullum et al agree, and as has been stated before on ELU, you may be wondering why '[i]t should be weren't'. I am. Any book insisting on one or the other is over-prescriptive. – Edwin Ashworth Apr 28 '20 at 16:34
Does this answer your question? "if it wasn't for..." vs "if it weren't for" – Edwin Ashworth Apr 28 '20 at 16:54
3

Does this answer your question? When to use "If I was" vs. "If I were"? – FumbleFingers Apr 28 '20 at 17:02
1

Your book is wrong to reject either. I always use were for the subjunctive. As did many of the people I grew up with and went to school with. However, was is more common. But both are acceptable. – Jason Bassford Apr 28 '20 at 21:30

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