If I were except for when I was

[Kaylee]

Except for the fact that is an incomplete sentence -- why is that correct English??? :confused:

[tsg]

"If I were" is the subjunctive mood, used to indicate something which is contrary to fact: eg. "If I were a woman".

"when I was" indicates something that has actually happened in the past.

[Fnord]

"If I Were Except For When I Was" reads like the title to an anthology of exceptionally well-written emo poetry.

That is, if emo poetry could ever be well-written.

:duck:

[Kaylee]

"If I were" is the subjunctive mood, used to indicate something which is contrary to fact: eg. "If I were a woman".

If we are talking about a hypothetical situation that might happen -- e.g.

"If I were to go to Europe" -- that is correct English also, right? I shouldn't say "If I was to go to Europe", right?

"when I was" indicates something that has actually happened in the past.

I think this rule was made up by a committee, but thanks for explaining it! :boggled: :)

[Kaylee]

"If I Were Except For When I Was" reads like the title to an anthology of exceptionally well-written emo poetry.

That is, if emo poetry could ever be well-written.

:duck:

Heh. :D

[tsg]

If we are talking about a hypothetical situation that might happen -- e.g.

"If I were to go to Europe" -- that is correct English also, right? I shouldn't say "If I was to go to Europe", right?

Pretty much, yes. I have heard people use both forms, but the former is considered more correct. It could also be stated "were I to go to Europe", although it's probably less common.

There is more information here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Subjunctive_mood.

I think this rule was made up by a committee, but thanks for explaining it! :boggled: :)

As always, English grammar is more a set of guidelines than actual rules. And most of them are pretty much made up by committee. That is, common usage pretty much defines the language.

[Kaylee]

Thanks for the answers and the link, TSG.

And good point that all of us that speak English (322 million plus) are a committe, of sorts. :D

[slingblade]

"If I Were Except For When I Was" reads like the title to an anthology of exceptionally well-written emo poetry.

That is, if emo poetry could ever be well-written.

:duck:

If we had a place here to post poetry, I'd show you some that is...or at least comes close. :D

[six7s]

And good point that all of us that speak English (322 million plus) are a committee, of sorts. :D

With voting rights accorded to all comers

RBHZFYpQ6nc

Yubby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dibby dum (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBHZFYpQ6nc)