Archive for August, 2007

82. Was It “Were”?

Thursday, August 23rd, 2007

English grammar is so complicated that I often get it wrong, too. For example, consider the following questions:

1. If I was/were you, I would have rejected his offer.

2. If I was/were to accept his offer, I would have to start the job soon.

Answers: 1. were. 2. was.

Did you get them right?

To avoid mistake or confusion, just remember that if the sentence describes an occurrence contrary to the fact or simply saying, not true or not going to happen, use "were". When the situation described is not presupposed to be false (e.g. maybe it is true or going to happen), use "was".

The same goes for other singular pronouns “you,” “she,” “he,” and “it.” (You won’t have this problem when it involves the plural pronouns).

Now try this.

1. If he was/were angry, he’d have exploded by now.

2. I would always call home if I was/were not going back for dinner.

I think you’ve got them right this time.

81. Convocation

Wednesday, August 22nd, 2007

15 August 2007,
We wear gowns on this special day.
Gowns shine not from the traces of gold,
But through the dazzles of our smile.

Gathered under one roof,
We sit down but our spirits stand high.
The chill air doesn’t stop us from feeling warm,
For we know we are blessed with love.

The bitter hardship has ended,
The sweet harvest has finally arrived.
It is now time,
To spread the wings and fly.

Yesterday we were only inches away from each other,
After today we will be thousands of miles apart.
But distance will never tear us apart,
For I have you right here in my heart.