“if our photographer was” or “is” or “were”?
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"Although you are more than welcome to take photos today, it would be appreciated if our photographer was/is/were given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple."
Which one is correct, please?
verbs conditionals irrealis-were
edited Aug 29 at 6:54
Mari-Lou A
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asked Aug 29 at 5:46
EnglishRose
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"Although you are more than welcome to take photos today, it would be appreciated if our photographer was/is/were given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple."
Which one is correct, please?
verbs conditionals irrealis-were
edited Aug 29 at 6:54
Mari-Lou A
61k54213445
asked Aug 29 at 5:46
EnglishRose
1
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 4 hours ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
I have a pet peeve about "more than welcome". Just say "welcome". What is the metric on which "welcome" sits where there is something "more"? Gaaah!
– Ian MacDonald
Sep 28 at 14:17
add a comment |
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favorite
up vote
0
down vote
favorite
"Although you are more than welcome to take photos today, it would be appreciated if our photographer was/is/were given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple."
Which one is correct, please?
verbs conditionals irrealis-were
edited Aug 29 at 6:54
Mari-Lou A
61k54213445
asked Aug 29 at 5:46
EnglishRose
1
"Although you are more than welcome to take photos today, it would be appreciated if our photographer was/is/were given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple."
Which one is correct, please?
verbs conditionals irrealis-were
verbs conditionals irrealis-were
edited Aug 29 at 6:54
Mari-Lou A
61k54213445
asked Aug 29 at 5:46
EnglishRose
1
edited Aug 29 at 6:54
Mari-Lou A
61k54213445
asked Aug 29 at 5:46
EnglishRose
1
edited Aug 29 at 6:54
Mari-Lou A
61k54213445
edited Aug 29 at 6:54
Mari-Lou A
61k54213445
edited Aug 29 at 6:54
Mari-Lou A
61k54213445
61k54213445
asked Aug 29 at 5:46
EnglishRose
1
asked Aug 29 at 5:46
EnglishRose
1
asked Aug 29 at 5:46
EnglishRose
1
1
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 4 hours ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
bumped to the homepage by Community♦ 4 hours ago
This question has answers that may be good or bad; the system has marked it active so that they can be reviewed.
I have a pet peeve about "more than welcome". Just say "welcome". What is the metric on which "welcome" sits where there is something "more"? Gaaah!
– Ian MacDonald
Sep 28 at 14:17
add a comment |
I have a pet peeve about "more than welcome". Just say "welcome". What is the metric on which "welcome" sits where there is something "more"? Gaaah!
– Ian MacDonald
Sep 28 at 14:17
I have a pet peeve about "more than welcome". Just say "welcome". What is the metric on which "welcome" sits where there is something "more"? Gaaah!
– Ian MacDonald
Sep 28 at 14:17
I have a pet peeve about "more than welcome". Just say "welcome". What is the metric on which "welcome" sits where there is something "more"? Gaaah!
– Ian MacDonald
Sep 28 at 14:17
add a comment |
3 Answers
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If I am not mistaken, the correct conjugation of the verb is 'were'.
This is a case of the subjunctive mood, now rarely used in Modern English. To clarify, the subjunctive mood indicates a state of being or reality or may be used to express a wish or possibility.
In your example, the complex sentence (which is also a clause) "It would be appreciated if our..." contains the modal verb 'would' and the subordinating conjunction 'if'. Usually, in order to be most formal as is implied in your entire example, the verb '[to] be' must be conjugated in the past tense third person plural as a consequence of the modal verb and the subordinating conjunction 'if' which indicate the need for this specific verb tense and, thus, demonstrate the subjunctive mood.
Hope this is clear enough :)
Generally speaking, there is no difference between the subjunctive and indicative form of the verb except for the present tense third person singular and for the verb 'to be', as is the case in your example.
answered Aug 29 at 6:02
Cesco
455
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The sequence of events is in the present with an attempted looking forward. " Would " is used in the sentence to convey a polite request. You are welcoming someone to take the snaps; so photoshoot has not so far turned out to be a past event. Hence it would be perfectly nice to use either IS or WERE. WAS is a misfit here. The difference between subjunctive and indicative has met in the horizon with the passage of time. Still we use WERE in all persons and numbers for cherished unfulfilled situations.
answered Aug 29 at 10:45
Barid Baran Acharya
1,618613
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up vote
-1
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The right verb to use there in your given sentence is "was."
When writing conditional statements (e.g. statements with "if/when clause + result clause"), use the present tense of the verb in the "if clause" when the "result clause" uses "will." But if the "result clause" uses "would," you will have to use the past tense of the verb in the "if clause." This issue then is a matter of parallelism.
You cannot use "were" in your given sentence because the message you are trying to convey is not in the subjunctive mood.
answered Aug 29 at 10:03
Jonas Sergio
708
1
You can, and probably should, use were where I'm from. This flowery would intro typically signals a subjunctive form in the US. This isn't really a conditional usage anyway. It's if masquerading as that. An alternative might be we would appreciate our photographer being given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple. "Subjunctive mood is used for sentences that express demand, request, necessity, urging, resolution, wishful thinking, and improbability."
– Phil Sweet
Oct 28 at 16:34
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
up vote
0
down vote
If I am not mistaken, the correct conjugation of the verb is 'were'.
This is a case of the subjunctive mood, now rarely used in Modern English. To clarify, the subjunctive mood indicates a state of being or reality or may be used to express a wish or possibility.
In your example, the complex sentence (which is also a clause) "It would be appreciated if our..." contains the modal verb 'would' and the subordinating conjunction 'if'. Usually, in order to be most formal as is implied in your entire example, the verb '[to] be' must be conjugated in the past tense third person plural as a consequence of the modal verb and the subordinating conjunction 'if' which indicate the need for this specific verb tense and, thus, demonstrate the subjunctive mood.
Hope this is clear enough :)
Generally speaking, there is no difference between the subjunctive and indicative form of the verb except for the present tense third person singular and for the verb 'to be', as is the case in your example.
answered Aug 29 at 6:02
Cesco
455
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
If I am not mistaken, the correct conjugation of the verb is 'were'.
This is a case of the subjunctive mood, now rarely used in Modern English. To clarify, the subjunctive mood indicates a state of being or reality or may be used to express a wish or possibility.
In your example, the complex sentence (which is also a clause) "It would be appreciated if our..." contains the modal verb 'would' and the subordinating conjunction 'if'. Usually, in order to be most formal as is implied in your entire example, the verb '[to] be' must be conjugated in the past tense third person plural as a consequence of the modal verb and the subordinating conjunction 'if' which indicate the need for this specific verb tense and, thus, demonstrate the subjunctive mood.
Hope this is clear enough :)
Generally speaking, there is no difference between the subjunctive and indicative form of the verb except for the present tense third person singular and for the verb 'to be', as is the case in your example.
answered Aug 29 at 6:02
Cesco
455
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
If I am not mistaken, the correct conjugation of the verb is 'were'.
This is a case of the subjunctive mood, now rarely used in Modern English. To clarify, the subjunctive mood indicates a state of being or reality or may be used to express a wish or possibility.
In your example, the complex sentence (which is also a clause) "It would be appreciated if our..." contains the modal verb 'would' and the subordinating conjunction 'if'. Usually, in order to be most formal as is implied in your entire example, the verb '[to] be' must be conjugated in the past tense third person plural as a consequence of the modal verb and the subordinating conjunction 'if' which indicate the need for this specific verb tense and, thus, demonstrate the subjunctive mood.
Hope this is clear enough :)
Generally speaking, there is no difference between the subjunctive and indicative form of the verb except for the present tense third person singular and for the verb 'to be', as is the case in your example.
answered Aug 29 at 6:02
Cesco
455
If I am not mistaken, the correct conjugation of the verb is 'were'.
This is a case of the subjunctive mood, now rarely used in Modern English. To clarify, the subjunctive mood indicates a state of being or reality or may be used to express a wish or possibility.
In your example, the complex sentence (which is also a clause) "It would be appreciated if our..." contains the modal verb 'would' and the subordinating conjunction 'if'. Usually, in order to be most formal as is implied in your entire example, the verb '[to] be' must be conjugated in the past tense third person plural as a consequence of the modal verb and the subordinating conjunction 'if' which indicate the need for this specific verb tense and, thus, demonstrate the subjunctive mood.
Hope this is clear enough :)
Generally speaking, there is no difference between the subjunctive and indicative form of the verb except for the present tense third person singular and for the verb 'to be', as is the case in your example.
answered Aug 29 at 6:02
Cesco
455
answered Aug 29 at 6:02
Cesco
455
answered Aug 29 at 6:02
Cesco
455
answered Aug 29 at 6:02
Cesco
455
455
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
The sequence of events is in the present with an attempted looking forward. " Would " is used in the sentence to convey a polite request. You are welcoming someone to take the snaps; so photoshoot has not so far turned out to be a past event. Hence it would be perfectly nice to use either IS or WERE. WAS is a misfit here. The difference between subjunctive and indicative has met in the horizon with the passage of time. Still we use WERE in all persons and numbers for cherished unfulfilled situations.
answered Aug 29 at 10:45
Barid Baran Acharya
1,618613
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
The sequence of events is in the present with an attempted looking forward. " Would " is used in the sentence to convey a polite request. You are welcoming someone to take the snaps; so photoshoot has not so far turned out to be a past event. Hence it would be perfectly nice to use either IS or WERE. WAS is a misfit here. The difference between subjunctive and indicative has met in the horizon with the passage of time. Still we use WERE in all persons and numbers for cherished unfulfilled situations.
answered Aug 29 at 10:45
Barid Baran Acharya
1,618613
add a comment |
up vote
0
down vote
up vote
0
down vote
The sequence of events is in the present with an attempted looking forward. " Would " is used in the sentence to convey a polite request. You are welcoming someone to take the snaps; so photoshoot has not so far turned out to be a past event. Hence it would be perfectly nice to use either IS or WERE. WAS is a misfit here. The difference between subjunctive and indicative has met in the horizon with the passage of time. Still we use WERE in all persons and numbers for cherished unfulfilled situations.
answered Aug 29 at 10:45
Barid Baran Acharya
1,618613
The sequence of events is in the present with an attempted looking forward. " Would " is used in the sentence to convey a polite request. You are welcoming someone to take the snaps; so photoshoot has not so far turned out to be a past event. Hence it would be perfectly nice to use either IS or WERE. WAS is a misfit here. The difference between subjunctive and indicative has met in the horizon with the passage of time. Still we use WERE in all persons and numbers for cherished unfulfilled situations.
answered Aug 29 at 10:45
Barid Baran Acharya
1,618613
answered Aug 29 at 10:45
Barid Baran Acharya
1,618613
answered Aug 29 at 10:45
Barid Baran Acharya
1,618613
answered Aug 29 at 10:45
Barid Baran Acharya
1,618613
1,618613
add a comment |
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
The right verb to use there in your given sentence is "was."
When writing conditional statements (e.g. statements with "if/when clause + result clause"), use the present tense of the verb in the "if clause" when the "result clause" uses "will." But if the "result clause" uses "would," you will have to use the past tense of the verb in the "if clause." This issue then is a matter of parallelism.
You cannot use "were" in your given sentence because the message you are trying to convey is not in the subjunctive mood.
answered Aug 29 at 10:03
Jonas Sergio
708
1
You can, and probably should, use were where I'm from. This flowery would intro typically signals a subjunctive form in the US. This isn't really a conditional usage anyway. It's if masquerading as that. An alternative might be we would appreciate our photographer being given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple. "Subjunctive mood is used for sentences that express demand, request, necessity, urging, resolution, wishful thinking, and improbability."
– Phil Sweet
Oct 28 at 16:34
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
The right verb to use there in your given sentence is "was."
When writing conditional statements (e.g. statements with "if/when clause + result clause"), use the present tense of the verb in the "if clause" when the "result clause" uses "will." But if the "result clause" uses "would," you will have to use the past tense of the verb in the "if clause." This issue then is a matter of parallelism.
You cannot use "were" in your given sentence because the message you are trying to convey is not in the subjunctive mood.
answered Aug 29 at 10:03
Jonas Sergio
708
1
You can, and probably should, use were where I'm from. This flowery would intro typically signals a subjunctive form in the US. This isn't really a conditional usage anyway. It's if masquerading as that. An alternative might be we would appreciate our photographer being given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple. "Subjunctive mood is used for sentences that express demand, request, necessity, urging, resolution, wishful thinking, and improbability."
– Phil Sweet
Oct 28 at 16:34
add a comment |
up vote
-1
down vote
up vote
-1
down vote
The right verb to use there in your given sentence is "was."
When writing conditional statements (e.g. statements with "if/when clause + result clause"), use the present tense of the verb in the "if clause" when the "result clause" uses "will." But if the "result clause" uses "would," you will have to use the past tense of the verb in the "if clause." This issue then is a matter of parallelism.
You cannot use "were" in your given sentence because the message you are trying to convey is not in the subjunctive mood.
answered Aug 29 at 10:03
Jonas Sergio
708
The right verb to use there in your given sentence is "was."
When writing conditional statements (e.g. statements with "if/when clause + result clause"), use the present tense of the verb in the "if clause" when the "result clause" uses "will." But if the "result clause" uses "would," you will have to use the past tense of the verb in the "if clause." This issue then is a matter of parallelism.
You cannot use "were" in your given sentence because the message you are trying to convey is not in the subjunctive mood.
answered Aug 29 at 10:03
Jonas Sergio
708
answered Aug 29 at 10:03
Jonas Sergio
708
answered Aug 29 at 10:03
Jonas Sergio
708
answered Aug 29 at 10:03
Jonas Sergio
708
708
1
You can, and probably should, use were where I'm from. This flowery would intro typically signals a subjunctive form in the US. This isn't really a conditional usage anyway. It's if masquerading as that. An alternative might be we would appreciate our photographer being given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple. "Subjunctive mood is used for sentences that express demand, request, necessity, urging, resolution, wishful thinking, and improbability."
– Phil Sweet
Oct 28 at 16:34
add a comment |
1
You can, and probably should, use were where I'm from. This flowery would intro typically signals a subjunctive form in the US. This isn't really a conditional usage anyway. It's if masquerading as that. An alternative might be we would appreciate our photographer being given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple. "Subjunctive mood is used for sentences that express demand, request, necessity, urging, resolution, wishful thinking, and improbability."
– Phil Sweet
Oct 28 at 16:34
1
1
You can, and probably should, use were where I'm from. This flowery would intro typically signals a subjunctive form in the US. This isn't really a conditional usage anyway. It's if masquerading as that. An alternative might be we would appreciate our photographer being given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple. "Subjunctive mood is used for sentences that express demand, request, necessity, urging, resolution, wishful thinking, and improbability."
– Phil Sweet
Oct 28 at 16:34
You can, and probably should, use were where I'm from. This flowery would intro typically signals a subjunctive form in the US. This isn't really a conditional usage anyway. It's if masquerading as that. An alternative might be we would appreciate our photographer being given the best opportunity to photograph the happy couple. "Subjunctive mood is used for sentences that express demand, request, necessity, urging, resolution, wishful thinking, and improbability."
– Phil Sweet
Oct 28 at 16:34
add a comment |
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I have a pet peeve about "more than welcome". Just say "welcome". What is the metric on which "welcome" sits where there is something "more"? Gaaah!
– Ian MacDonald
Sep 28 at 14:17