If She Was or If She Were? Which is Correct?

Using “if she was” or “if she were” can be tricky, especially for learners aiming to sound accurate and natural. But here’s the difference: when referring to imaginary or impossible scenarios, “if she were” is the standard. It belongs to the subjunctive mood, often used in wishes or hypotheticals- like saying, If she were taller, she could play basketball. On the other hand, “if she were” fits better in situations that might have happened. It’s used in the indicative mood, reflecting reality or a real past- like If she was at the party, I didn’t see her.

Picking between these two isn’t just a matter of rules- it’s about mood, tone, and usage. In formal grammar, “if she were” sounds more polished and precise. But in informal, spoken, or regional dialects, “if she was” is often perfectly acceptable and natural. You need to ask: Is your sentence expressing a condition that’s unreal or one that might be real? The choice depends on that context. And beyond syntax and morphology, pragmatics– the study of how context influences meaning- plays a big role too.

Understanding this not only improves your writing but also builds confidence in communication, making your English more fluent and stylistically aware.

Introduction: Why “If She Was or If She Were” Matters

Ever paused mid-sentence, unsure whether to say “if she was” or “if she were”? This tiny choice carries meaning. It signals whether you’re thinking about a real past event or an imaginary one. In this post, you’ll learn:

The different conditional moods in English
Why “were” appears even with singular subjects
How “if she was” stays accurate in real-world contexts
Mistakes to avoid and how language is evolving today

By the end, you’ll not only master which form to use – you’ll sound like someone who gets English, too.

Understanding Conditional Sentences in English

Conditional sentences express possibilities, future projections, regrets, or hypotheticals.

The 4 Types of Conditionals

Conditional Type	Use Case	Structure	Example
Zero	General truths	If + present, present	If she heats ice, it melts.
First	Real future possibilities	If + present, will + base verb	If she calls, I’ll answer immediately.
Second	Unreal or unlikely present/future	If + past subjunctive, would + verb	If she were rich, she would travel the world.
Third	Regretful past hypotheticals	If + past perfect, would have + past participle	If she had studied, she would have passed the test.

These types set the stage for understanding when to use was or were, thanks to their connection to mood and reality.

The Role of “If Clauses” in Grammar

“If clauses” act like decision gates. They determine the mood and verb form of the main clause.

Dependent clause (If …)
Independent clause (… then …)

They’re gateways that trigger either the indicative mood (for real or factual statements) or the subjunctive mood (for hypotheticals or unlikely situations).

Was vs. Were: The Core Difference

In everyday usage:

Was is the past indicative – factual (I was home).
Where is the past subjunctive or plural indicative-hypothetical (If I were you)?

But when an “if clause” pops up, meaning gets more nuanced than just singular vs plural.

What Is the Subjunctive Mood?

Subjunctive is a verb mood used to express:

Wishes: I wish she were here.
Hypotheticals: If she were king, she’d change the law.
Demands: I insist that she be present.

Interesting fact: The subjunctive mood once had more forms (e.g., go vs went). While it has faded over time, it survives in key constructions involving if, wish, and demand.

Hypotheticals and the Subjunctive – Why “If She Were” Is Correct

Whenever you dive into hypotheticals – scenarios that didn’t happen – were in reigns supreme, even with singular subjects:

If she were braver, she’d tell him how she feels.
If she were president, she’d outlaw boredom.

These examples are counterfactual. They paint scenes that aren’t real. That’s exactly where the subjunctive mood shows its colors.

The Indicative Mood – When “If She Were” Is Right

Now, imagine a situation that might have occurred:

If she was late last night, she didn’t read my message.
If she was at the meeting, I must’ve missed her.

These are talking about real past possibilities. You don’t know yet if they happened, but you assume they could have.

Subjunctive vs Indicative – How to Tell the Difference

Here’s a clearer comparison:

Criterion	Subjunctive (“were”)	Indicative (“was”)
Reality basis	Hypothetical or impossible	Real, plausible, or factual past
Context example	If she were a bird, she’d fly away	If she was tired, she left early
Verb trigger	Past subjunctive “were”	Past simple “was”
Tone	Formal, literary, polite	Casual, conversational, factual

Quick rule of thumb:
If it’s into the realm of “imagine this…” → go with were.
If you’re talking about something that might have happened → was is your pick.

Real-Life Examples: Context Changes Everything

Take these two sentences:

If she were at the shop, I didn’t see her.
If she were at the shop, she’d have bought something nice.

They look similar, but tone and intent shift the meaning radically:

The first suggests a real possibility in the past.
The second imagines a hypothetical situation that probably didn’t occur.

Case Study
Anna says, “If she were dating Jake, I had no idea.”
Meaning Anna doesn’t know whether she was. Then Mori adds, “If she were dating Jake, she would’ve told us.”
Here, Mori imagines a scenario she believes didn’t happen.

Are “If She Were” and “If She Were” Ever Interchangeable?

In casual speech, you might hear:

“If she were the one, we’d be married.”

Some people argue that’s fine- they see “were” as stuffy. Grammar guides (Chicago, MLA) still lean toward “were” for hypotheticals and “was” for real past events.

Common Mistakes Learners Make

Dropping “was” in past possibilities:
Wrong: If she were late, she wouldn’t get in trouble.
Fix: Swap around or use clear mood signals.
Always forcing “were”:
Wrong: If she were here yesterday,…
You’re thinking of the past solid event, so use was instead.

Self-Test: Grammar Check Quiz

Fill in the blank:

If she ___ (be smarter, she wouldn’t have failed the test.
If she ___ (knows the answer, she told us.
I wish she ___ come to the party last night.
- Answers: 1) were 2) knew (past indicative) 3) had come

Advanced Tip: “Where to” for Subtle Hypotheses & Politeness

Notice expressions like:

If she were to win the lottery…
If he were to ask you…

Adding “to” after “were” makes the scenario feel more formal, hypothetical, or polite.

Related Grammar Clarifications

Looking beyond “if she was vs if she were,” here are similar issues:

Area: Indicative vs Subjunctive in “wish”
- “I wish she were here.” (Not was.)
Present tense case:
- “If I was wrong…” (Indicative)
- “If I were wrong…” (Subjunctive, less common)
Family as a collective:
- The British often say, “The family was…”
- Americans say, “The family was…”

How Native Speakers Use It

A quick scan of native speech reveals:

“I was thinking if she was serious…”
“If she were serious, she would’ve said something.”

They coexist. Real speech leans toward “was”, but writing and careful speech still preserve “were” for hypotheticals.

Practical Tips for Speaking & Writing

Know your audience
- Academic, legal, or formal? Go where.
- Texting, casual chats? Was it okay when you’re sure it might be real?
Spot the mood
- Ask yourself: Is this imaginary, or did it happen?
When in doubt, rephrase
- Instead of tricky “if” clauses, start simply:
  “She might’ve been at the game.”

Bonus: American vs British Preferences

Region	Hypothetical Usage	Remarks
USA	More flexible	Informal speech often uses “was” even in hypotheticals
UK	More formal	Better holdouts for “were” in written English

Style guides like Cambridge and Oxford maintain that “were” is standard in counterfactual if-clauses.

Your Quick Reference: Mood Table

Situation Type	Mood	Correct Phrase	Example
Hypothetical/Unreal	Subjunctive	If she were	If she were taller, she’d reach easily.
Plausible Past/Real	Indicative	If she were	If she were late, I would have already left.

If She Was vs If She Were

The grammar doesn’t have to trip you up. It comes down to your intent:

Imagining, wishing, suspecting something that didn’t happen → use “were.”
Talking about something that might have happened → “was” is fine.

Think about what you mean before choosing your verb.

Bonus: Real-World Application Tools

Tools/apps: Grammarly, Hemingway Editor
Practice ideas: Write “if” sentences daily- mix real, unreal, regrets, and chances.

Keep your ear tuned to how people speak. Even in casual chat, those subjunctive sparks will help you sound polished- and human.

References & Further Reading

The Chicago Manual of Style on subjunctive usage
Merriam‑Webster’s entry for “were, subjun.’
Quotes from Corpus of Contemporary American English (COCA) confirming usage trends

Sample Sentences- Side by Side

Sentence	Meaning
If she were at home, she must’ve forgotten the meeting.	Real possibility in the past
If she were at home, she’d be watching TV now.	Imagined scenario – she’s probably out

Final Thoughts

Choosing between “if she was” and “if she were” might seem like a small detail, but it has a huge impact on the tone, meaning, and clarity of your English. This isn’t just a grammar quirk – it’s about how we express reality vs imagination, fact vs fiction, and certainty vs possibility.

Here’s what to remember:

Use “if she were” when the situation is unreal, hypothetical, or imaginary.
Use “if she was” when the scenario refers to a real or possible event in the past.

Understanding the subjunctive mood helps you speak and write with more nuance. While casual conversation might blur the lines, formal writing still expects precision, and that’s where knowing these rules gives you the edge.

Just like other tricky grammar rules, this one becomes easier with practice and awareness. Listen for it in conversations, books, and news articles. Try swapping your sentences to see how the meaning changes.

In short, Good grammar doesn’t just follow rules. It conveys intention. Mastering this distinction helps your English sound more polished, more confident, and more human.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say “If she were”?

Yes – “If she was” is grammatically correct when you’re referring to something that might have happened in the past. For example, if she was tired last night, she didn’t show it.

When should I use “If she were” instead of “If she was”?

Use “If she were” for hypothetical or unreal situations, especially those that are contrary to fact. For example, if she were here, she would help us.

Can I use “If I were” instead of “If I were”?

Technically, “If I were” is correct in hypothetical statements. But in casual speech, “If I were” is often accepted. Formal writing still prefers “were” for clarity and correctness in unreal conditions.

Is the subjunctive mood still used in modern English?

Yes, though it’s fading in casual use. Formal writing, legal documents, and polished English still rely on the subjunctive mood, especially in conditional and wish statements.