If she was or if she were

“If she was or if she were” is an exact phrase many writers and speakers debate when forming conditional sentences. The contrast between if she was and if she were involves mood (indicative vs. subjunctive), meaning (real past condition vs. hypothetical or counterfactual), and register (informal speech vs. formal writing). Knowing when to use each form helps you write precisely and sound natural in speech and text.

This article explains the grammar behind both choices, gives many contextual examples with parts-of-speech analysis, highlights common mistakes, compares American and British tendencies, and offers practical tips to choose the best option.

Table of Contents

Part of speech analysis

Along the way I’ll check verb tense and subject–verb agreement, review articles and prepositions for precision, and point out fragments, run-ons, and awkward phrasing so you can edit cleanly. Read the examples aloud — doing so quickly reveals tense clashes and misplaced modifiers.

“If” — subordinating conjunction
“she” — pronoun (third-person singular feminine)
“was” — verb (past tense of be, indicative mood)
“or” — coordinating conjunction
“if” — subordinating conjunction
“she” — pronoun (third-person singular feminine)
“were” — verb (past subjunctive of be, or past tense in some dialects)
“is” — verb (3rd-person singular present of be)
“an” — article (indefinite determiner)
“exact” — adjective
“phrase” — noun
“many” — adjective (quantifier)
“writers” — noun (plural)
“and” — coordinating conjunction
“speakers” — noun (plural)
“debate” — verb (present simple)
“when” — subordinating conjunction/relative adverb
“forming” — verb (present participle/gerund)
“conditional” — adjective
“sentences” — noun (plural)
“.” — punctuation

Grammar checks for this sentence

Verbs: “was” (past indicative) and “were” (traditionally past subjunctive) are correctly identified in form and mood. The main clause uses present simple “debate” to express a general fact — correct.
Pronouns: “she” consistently refers to a hypothetical female subject — pronoun reference is clear.
Structure: The sentence is complex but complete; subordinating conjunctions and conjunctions are used correctly; no run-on or fragment.

Quick summary — core rule of thumb

Use if she were when the condition is counterfactual, improbable, hypothetical, or contrary to present reality (subjunctive mood). Example: “If she were here, she would help.”
Use if she was when you describe a real past condition or are reporting what actually happened in the past (indicative mood). Example: “If she was at the meeting, I missed her.”
In informal speech, many native speakers use if she was in both contexts; in careful formal writing, if she were is preferred for counterfactuals and hypothetical statements.

What is the subjunctive? (and why “were” matters)

The subjunctive mood signals unreality: wishes, hypotheticals, demands, suggestions, or counterfactual situations. English uses a vestigial past subjunctive with the verb be, which appears as were for all persons in counterfactual clauses: “If I were, If you were, If he/she/it were, If we were.” This differs from the indicative past tense (I was, he/she was), which states facts or reports real events.

Example (subjunctive)

“If she were the manager, she would change the schedule.”

Parts-of-speech and grammar check

If (subordinating conjunction)
she (pronoun, subject)
were (verb — past subjunctive form of be)
the (article)
manager (noun)
, (punctuation)
she (pronoun)
would (modal auxiliary)
change (verb, base form)
the (article)
schedule (noun)
. (punctuation)

Checks: Modal + base verb (“would change”) is correct for conditional result clause. Past subjunctive “were” signals counterfactuality.

Why use were? The use of were emphasizes that the condition is not true now — it’s imagined. Using was in that sentence would weaken the signal and could imply the clause refers to past reality rather than imagination.

When to use “if she was” — indicative past and reported situations

Use if she was when you are uncertain about a past fact or when you refer to a real condition that may have occurred.

Examples and analysis

“If she was late, the train must have been delayed.”
- If (conj) she (pronoun) was (verb: past indicative) late (adjective), the train (noun) must have been (modal perfect) delayed (past participle).
- Meaning: You are considering the factual possibility that she being late might be true and explaining a plausible cause.
“He asked if she was home when he called.”
- He (pronoun) asked (verb: past) if (conj) she (pronoun) was (verb: past) home (adjective/adverb).
- Meaning: Reporting a past question — the subordinate clause uses past indicative because it’s backshifting in reported speech.
“If she was impressed, she didn’t show it.”
- Conditional clause expresses uncertain past impression; indicative is appropriate.

Grammar notes

Reporting verbs (said, asked, wondered) often trigger backshifting of tense: direct question “Are you home?” → reported: “He asked if she was home.”
In many of these sentences, if she was is the natural choice because the speaker deals with real, past possibilities rather than hypothetical situations.

When to use “if she were” — counterfactuals, wishes, and hypotheticals

Use if she were when the scenario is contrary-to-fact, hypothetical, or an unlikely possibility. Common contexts:

Second conditional (present/future counterfactual): “If she were taller, she would play center.”
Wishes: “I wish she were here.” (Also often “I wish she was” in informal speech, but traditional grammar favors were.)
Politeness or tentativeness in proposals or suggestions: “If she were to accept, we’d proceed.”

Examples and analysis

“If she were taller, she would reach the top shelf.”
- If (conj) she (pronoun) were (verb, subjunctive) taller (comparative adjective), she (pronoun) would (modal) reach (verb) the (article) top (noun) shelf (noun).
- Meaning: She is not taller now; this is hypothetical.
“I would travel more if she were available to join me.”
- Modal + conditional structure shows hypothetical dependence.
“If she were to agree, the plan would change.”
- “were to” + infinitive is a formal structure signaling hypothetical future possibilities.

Grammar note: In these examples, were signals unreality. The verb in the result clause uses a modal (would/could/might) plus base verb. Subject–verb agreement is unaffected because subjunctive were does not inflect for person.

Examples with POS analysis — wide range of sentence types

I’ll provide many example sentences, tag parts of speech, and check verb tense and agreement so you can see systematically how the choice affects meaning.

Past factual uncertainty

Sentence: “If she was at the office yesterday, I didn’t see her.”

If (subordinating conjunction)
she (pronoun, subject)
was (verb, past indicative)
at (preposition)
the (article)
office (noun)
yesterday (adverb)
, (punctuation)
I (pronoun)
didn’t (auxiliary + negative, past)
see (verb, base)
her (pronoun, object)
. (punctuation)

Check: Past indicative “was” reports a past possibility. Tenses are consistent: subordinate past vs main past negative.

Counterfactual present

Sentence: “If she were here now, we could start the meeting.”

If (conj) she (pronoun) were (verb, subjunctive) here (adverb) now (adverb) , we (pronoun) could (modal) start (verb, base) the (article) meeting (noun).
Check: Subjunctive were + modal could signals present counterfactual. Sentence is structurally sound.

Reported speech requiring backshift

Direct: He said, “She is unwell.” Reported: He said she was unwell.

In reported speech, present “is” backshifts to past “was.” Use was here because you’re reporting a past statement, not hypothesizing.

Wish (subjunctive favored)

Sentence: “I wish she were coming with us.”

Wish + subjunctive is standard; “I wish she was” is common colloquially but less formal.

Polite hypothetical (formal)

Sentence: “If she were to reconsider, it might change everything.”

“were to” construction gives a formal hypothetical feel.

Common mistakes and how to fix them

Mistake: Using was for a clearly counterfactual present condition.
- Wrong: “If she was taller, she would be a model.” (Here was signals past indicative; meaning becomes ambiguous.)
- Fix: “If she were taller, she would be a model.” — use subjunctive for hypothetical present.
Mistake: Overcorrecting with were in past factual statements.
- Wrong: “If she were at the party last night, I would have met her.” (Mixes subjunctive with past factual timeline; better: “If she was at the party last night, I didn’t meet her” or third conditional: “If she had been at the party, I would have met her.”)
- Fix: Choose correct conditional type — for past counterfactual use the past perfect: “If she had been at the party, I would have met her.”
Mistake: Using a fragment with if clause alone.
- Wrong: “If she were taller.” (Fragment.)
- Fix: Complete clause: “If she were taller, she would play center.” Or integrate into sentence.
Mistake: Tense inconsistency between clauses.
- Wrong: “If she were here, I missed her.” (Subjunctive present + past main clause — mismatched.)
- Fix: “If she were here, I would see her.” or “If she was here yesterday, I missed her.”
Mistake: Confusing “were” with “was” in polite formulas and wishes.
- Tip: For wishes and hypotheticals, prefer were in formal writing: “I wish she were here.”

American vs British English — tendencies and acceptability

American English

The past subjunctive were is widely known and used in formal writing and speech for counterfactuals and wishes, but informal speech often uses was even in hypothetical contexts, especially in casual conversation. Both forms are common in AmE; style guides vary. Many US speakers accept “If I was” colloquially.

British English

Traditional grammar instruction in BrE tends to preserve the distinction and favors were for counterfactuals. Still, everyday speech often uses was as well. In formal British writing (academic, legal), were appears more often for hypotheticals and wishes.

Practical guideline: For formal writing (academic papers, business proposals, published articles) prefer were for counterfactuals and wishes. In informal emails or speech, was is broadly accepted for many speakers — but it may sound less precise.

Idiomatic expressions and fixed patterns involving “were”

Certain expressions conventionally use the subjunctive were, and using was might sound off or change nuance.

I wish I were… — “I wish I were taller.” (Common fixed phrase.)
If I were you… — Used for advice: “If I were you, I’d say yes.”
As if / as though often triggers subjunctive: “He talks as if she were in charge.” (Though “as if she was” also appears in speech.)

Example with POS and checks: “If I were you, I would apologize.”

If (conj) I (pronoun) were (verb, subjunctive) you (pronoun) , I (pronoun) would (modal) apologize (verb).
Check: This idiom uses the subjunctive traditionally and is strongly conventional; use were to maintain idiomatic correctness in formal registers.

Practical editing checklist and tips

When editing sentences that contain if she was or if she were, run through this checklist:

Decide the meaning: Is the clause factual/past or hypothetical/counterfactual/wishful? That decides was vs were.
Identify conditional type:
- Real past condition → indicative/past: If she was…
- Present unreal/hypothetical → subjunctive: If she were…
- Past unreal (counterfactual past) → past perfect: If she had been…
Check main clause tense: Result clauses should match the conditional type: If she were…, she would/could…; If she had been…, she would have…
Avoid fragments: Ensure both clauses are complete or the if clause is integrated: “If she were taller, she would…” not “If she were taller.”
Watch for backshifting in reported speech: Reported present -> past: “He asked if she was coming.”
Maintain consistency of register: Use were in formal writing for hypotheticals; accept was in informal speech but be consistent.

Common scenario walkthroughs (with model sentences and POS checks)

Interview or CV claim (future commitment)

Sentence: “If she were available, she could join the project immediately.”

Use: hypothetical present indicating availability is not the case.
POS check: If (conj); she (pronoun); were (subjunctive verb); available (adjective); she (pronoun); could (modal); join (verb); the (article); project (noun); immediately (adverb).
Edit tip: If you mean to promise future ability, “If she is available, she can join…” refers to real possibility.

Reporting a past event

Sentence: “If she was at the conference, I didn’t see her there.”

Use: factual uncertainty regarding a past event.
POS check: consistent past tense usage; indicative is appropriate.

Past counterfactual (regret)

Sentence: “If she had taken the earlier flight, she would have avoided the delay.”

Use: past unreal conditional — requires past perfect in the if-clause.
POS check: If (conj) she (pron) had taken (past perfect) the (article) earlier (adjective) flight (noun), she (pron) would have avoided (modal perfect) the (article) delay (noun).
Tip: Do not use “were” here; that’s for present counterfactuals.

Polished rewrite — enhance grammar, clarity, style, and vocabulary

Below is a concise, polished section that restates the key guidance in a reader-friendly tone.

Polished guidance (6 sentences): Use if she were for hypothetical or counterfactual situations, and use if she waswhen the condition refers to a real, past possibility. The subjunctive were marks unreality and pairs naturally with modal verbs (would, could, might) in results clauses. When you report speech or describe past actions, the indicative was is correct and often necessary. For past counterfactuals, use the past perfect (“If she had been…”) and pair it with perfect modals (“…she would have…”). In formal writing, prefer were for wishes and hypotheticals; in informal speech, was is widely used and usually accepted. Always check the conditional type and keep your tenses consistent across clauses.

Conclusion

To summarize: choose if she were when the clause expresses a hypothetical, a wish, or an unlikely counterfactual (subjunctive mood). Choose if she was when referring to real past possibilities or when reporting past speech. For past unreal situations affecting the past, use the past perfect (“If she had been…”). Keep clause pairings consistent (subjunctive with modals, past perfect with perfect modals), avoid fragments and tense mismatches, and match your register to audience expectations. In informal speaking, native speakers often use was broadly; in formal writing, using were for hypotheticals keeps your prose precise and traditional.

FAQs

Q: Is “If she was” ever correct for hypothetical situations? A: In colloquial speech, yes; but in formal grammar, if she were is preferred for hypotheticals and counterfactuals.
Q: Can I say “I wish she was here”? A: Many people say that in conversation, but traditional grammar recommends I wish she were here.
Q: When should I use “If she had been”? A: Use “If she had been” for past counterfactuals — events that did not happen in the past and you are imagining a different outcome.
Q: Is the subjunctive “were” disappearing? A: It’s less obligatory in casual speech but remains common in writing, idioms, and fixed phrases (“If I were you…”, “I wish it were…”).
Q: Can “if she were” express future possibility? A: Yes, in constructions like “If she were to apply, she might get the job” — it indicates a hypothetical future scenario.
Q: Is “If she was” correct in reported speech? A: Yes. For reporting past statements or questions, backshift to “was” is standard.
Q: Is there a big difference between American and British preferences? A: Both use were for subjunctive contexts in formal registers, but American casual usage more often tolerates was.
Q: How can I check which to use when editing? A: Ask whether the clause is factual/past (use was), hypothetical/present counterfactual (use were), or past counterfactual (use past perfect).
Q: Do other verbs use subjunctive forms like were? A: Old English had more subjunctive forms. Today, wereis the most visible remnant; other verbs often use the same past form as indicative.