[Gllug] plurals

[Pete Ryland]

On Thu, Jun 19, 2003 at 08:53:07PM +0100, Jack Bertram wrote:
> * Pete Ryland <pdr at pdr.cx> [030619 20:26]:
> > Nowadays, the subjunctive form is the same as the past, so we would now
> > write:
> > 
> > If he delighted in him, let him deliver him.
> > 
> > Just like:
> > 
> > If I was going to the shops, I'd bring you back some chocolate.
> 
> This isn't a subjunctive.

Yes, it is.  The "if" and "would" give that away.

> There's a difference in meaning between this phrase and the equivalent
> with "were".  With "was", the sentence means 
> 
> "I'm not going to the shop, so I'm not going to bring you back any
> chocolate"
> 
> whereas with "were", it means
> 
> "Hypothetically speaking, if I were going to the shops, of course I'd
> bring you back some chocolate"

Interesting you say that.  I would think that either sentence could have
either connotation.

Pete

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