Difference between 'was' and 'were.'

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<p>Hi all, I’ve been having some difficulty with understanding when to use was, and were.</p>

<p>From what I know so far, one uses ‘were’ when they are talking about a hypothetical situation, such as:</p>

<p>example: I wish I were a year older. - This is hypothetical because the nararator isn’t a year older.</p>

<p>and one uses ‘was’ when the situation will happen for sure(?) (<– Is this right)?</p>

<p>example: If I was to drink water. - Assuming the narrarator is human, he will eventually drink water, so he uses ‘was.’ But then doesn’t this apply for the first example as well? In the first example the narraator will eventually become a year older, so why not use ‘was’ in the first example too?</p>

<p>Can someone please clarify when to use ‘was’ and ‘were’?</p>

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<p>“Were” indicates the subjunctive mood. You’re right that it indicates a hypothetical situation. “If I was to drink water” is ** incorrect **. When you say “If I were to do something” you’re almost always creating a hypothetical situation.</p>

<p>[Subjunctive</a> Mood](<a href=“http://englishplus.com/grammar/00000031.htm]Subjunctive”>Subjunctive Mood) gives a relatively good guide.</p>

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<p>The best way to remember the subjunctive mood is the combination “If… were… would…”</p>

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<p>I was going to the movies
You were going to the movies
He/She was going to the movies
We were going to the movies
They were going to the movies</p>