If She Was or If She Were? A Complete Grammar Guide to Getting It Right

When writing or speaking, many English learners pause mid-sentence, wondering whether to say If she was or If she were, a question that can confuse the audience but knowing the rules makes writing and speech polished and confident, and this is a lesson I’ve seen help students and seasoned writers gain clarity.

Using If she were fits hypothetical or unreal situations, like imagining someone taller or stronger, while If she was works for real, past events, such as a meeting you attended. The grammar rules can seem tricky, but clarity, correctly applying these forms, and confidence in your writing and speaking helps avoid mistakes. Learners often scratch their heads trying to pick the right form in sentences that feel like a tightrope walk between formal and casual usage.

Think of it like navigating a slippery slope in the city—every step matters. Dangling threads of uncertainty can make your phrases sound wrong or minor off. Picking the right form, understanding the fit in the sentence, and knowing the difference gives your writing a comprehensive, practical feel. With consistent use, even seasoned speakers gain confidence, and students learn to navigate the grammar tightrope with ease, making writing and speech both correct and naturally polished.

Quick Answer: If She Was vs. If She Were

Here’s the simplest way to distinguish the two:

• If she were → Used for hypothetical, unreal, or imaginary situations. It belongs to the subjunctive mood.
  Example: If she were taller, she could reach the top shelf.
• If she was → Used for real past events or factual situations. It belongs to the indicative mood.
  Example: If she was late yesterday, I didn’t notice.

Think of “were” as imagination mode and “was” as reality mode. Once you internalize that distinction, choosing the correct form becomes far easier.

Understanding the Subjunctive Mood

To fully understand “If she were”, we need to explore the subjunctive mood.

The subjunctive mood is a grammatical feature used to express:

• Hypothetical situations
• Wishes or desires
• Doubts or speculation
• Conditions contrary to fact

Unlike the indicative mood, which states facts, the subjunctive allows English speakers to explore scenarios that are not real or certain.

Examples:

Mood	Example Sentence	Meaning
Indicative	She was at the party last night.	A factual statement
Subjunctive	If she were at the party, she would have met him.	Hypothetical or imagined situation

Key points about the subjunctive mood:

• It often appears with if, wish, or verbs expressing suggestions and demands (e.g., recommend, insist, suggest).
• The verb were remains the same for all subjects in hypothetical contexts: I were, you were, she were, they were.
• Modern English sometimes relaxes this rule in casual speech, but formal writing still prefers the classic subjunctive.

Grammar Authority Quote: The Chicago Manual of Style states:
“Use the subjunctive to indicate contrary-to-fact conditions, even when they seem unlikely in everyday speech.”

Understanding the subjunctive is crucial for using “If she were” correctly in any scenario.

When to Use “If She Were”

“If she were” is the form to use for hypothetical, unreal, or contrary-to-fact situations. It signals that the situation is imagined or not true.

Situations for “If she were”:

• Hypothetical Scenarios
  • If she were a doctor, she would help more patients.
  • If she were taller, she could reach the shelf.
• Expressing Wishes
  • I wish she were here to see this.
  • I wish she were happier in her new job.
• Advice or Suggestions about Unreal Situations
  
  • If she were more confident, she could ace the interview.
  • If she were better prepared, the presentation would have gone smoothly.

Tips for Using “If She Were”

• Always pair “were” with conditions that aren’t true now.
• Works for personal, professional, and literary contexts.
• Commonly found in storytelling, essays, and formal writing to create imagined scenarios.

Example Table:

Scenario Type	Correct Usage	Why
Hypothetical	If she were a millionaire, she’d buy a yacht.	Imaginary situation
Wish	I wish she were happier.	Expresses desire contrary to reality
Advice	If she were more patient, she’d handle conflicts better.	Unreal scenario

Using “were” correctly adds precision and emotional nuance to your writing.

When to Use “If She Was”

“If she was” is used for real past events or factual situations. It describes conditions that actually happened or could have happened.

Situations for “If she was”:

• Real Past Events
  • If she was late, the meeting had already started.
  • If she was at the concert, she enjoyed it.
• Confirming Uncertain Facts
  • If she was the one who called, I didn’t recognize her voice.
  • If she was involved in the project, she kept it secret.
• Casual Speech and Observations
  • If she was mad, she didn’t show it.
  • If she was busy yesterday, I left her a message.

Tips for Using “If She Was”

• Perfect for casual writing and speech.
• Often confused with the subjunctive; ask: “Is this real or hypothetical?”
• Avoid using it for wishes or unreal hypotheticals in formal writing.

Example Table:

Situation Type	Correct Usage	Why
Past Reality	If she was at the concert, she must have enjoyed it.	Something that actually happened
Speculation	If she was the winner, she probably celebrated quietly.	Past factual context
Casual Speech	If she was mad, she didn’t show it.	Informal observation

Spoken vs. Written English

The choice between “was” and “were” depends on context: casual speech or formal writing.

Spoken English:

• Native speakers often use “was” for both real and hypothetical situations.
• Example: If she was taller, she could reach the shelf. (acceptable in casual conversation)

Written English:

• Formal writing favors “were” for hypotheticals and “was” for past facts.
• Example: If she were taller, she could reach the top shelf. (formal and correct)

Quick Tip: When in doubt, default to “were” for hypotheticals in writing; it’s safer and more professional.

Common Pitfalls and Confusions

Many writers stumble with “If she was” vs. “If she were”. Here are common mistakes to avoid:

• Mixing up past and hypothetical situations
  • ❌ If she was taller, she could have reached the shelf.
  • ✅ If she were taller, she could reach the top shelf.
• Overcorrecting in casual speech
  • ❌ If she were happy yesterday, she went to the park.
  • ✅ If she was happy yesterday, she went to the park.
• Misreading literary or historical examples
  • Classic literature may use the subjunctive more strictly than modern English. Don’t be intimidated.

Tricks and Memory Aids

Here are some practical tricks to remember the difference:

• WERE = IMAGINATION: If it’s not real, use were.
• WAS = FACT: If it actually happened, use was.

Wish Test

• Replace “if” with “I wish…”
• Example:
  
  • I wish she were taller. ✅
  • I wish she was late yesterday. ❌ (past reality requires was)

Mnemonic

“Where is for worlds that aren’t real; Was is for what you can feel.”

Formality and Style Considerations

Context is key when using “If she was” or “If she were”.

Context	Recommended Usage
Academic Writing	Always prefer “were” for hypotheticals
Professional Email	“Were” preferred for hypotheticals; “was” acceptable for past facts in casual updates
Casual Conversation	“Was” widely accepted, even for imagined scenarios in speech

Example:

• Formal: If she were to submit the report today, we could meet the deadline.
• Casual: If she was busy yesterday, that’s okay.

Real-World Examples

Let’s see how different writers and media use these forms:

Source	Sentence	Usage Type
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice	If he were to arrive, she would be surprised.	Hypothetical, subjunctive
The New York Times	If she was involved in the project, she didn’t comment.	Past factual, indicative
BBC News	If she were elected, she would change policies.	Hypothetical, subjunctive

Key Insight: Context and intention dictate the choice more than rote memorization.

Insights from Grammar Authorities

Consulting grammar authorities helps clarify usage:

• Chicago Manual of Style: Subjunctive “were” signals contrary-to-fact conditions.
• Oxford English Dictionary: “Was” for actual past events; “were” preferred for hypotheticals.
• Grammarly Blog: In informal English, native speakers sometimes replace “were” with “was”, but formal writing favors “were”.

Using authorities can give you confidence in professional, academic, or formal writing.

Practice Section

Test your understanding with these exercises. Fill in the blanks with was or were:

• If she ___ taller, she could play basketball professionally.
• If she ___ at the party, I didn’t notice.
• I wish she ___ more confident during the interview.
• If she ___ late yesterday, it didn’t affect the meeting.
• If she ___ the president, she would change the policy.
  

Answers:

• were
• was
• were
• was
• were

Quick Reference Table

Here’s a concise table for easy scanning:

Form	Usage	Example
Were	Hypothetical, contrary-to-fact, wishes	If she were taller…
Was	Real past events, factual conditions	If she was late yesterday…
Subjunctive clue	Use “were” when imagining or wishing	I wish she were here.
Indicative clue	Use “was” when confirming past facts	If she was the one who called…

Conclusion

Mastering the choice between If she was and If she were may seem tricky, but with clarity, practice, and understanding the grammar rules, you can write and speak confidently. Recognizing when to use hypothetical or real situations and applying these forms correctly makes your writing and speech polished and naturally effective. Learners and seasoned speakers alike can navigate this subtle distinction with ease, turning uncertainty into confidence in every sentence.

FAQs

Q1: When should I use “If she were” instead of “If she was”?

Use If she were in hypothetical or unreal situations. For example, imagining a scenario that isn’t real or possible.

Q2: Is “If she was” ever correct?

Yes, If she was is correct when talking about real, past events. For example, something that actually happened or could have happened.

Q3: Can beginners confuse the two forms?

Absolutely. Many English learners pause mid-sentence, wondering which form to pick, but with practice and real-world examples, it becomes clear.

Q4: Does using the wrong form make my writing sound bad?

Sometimes it can make phrases sound wrong or confuse the audience, but understanding the difference ensures your writing and speech stay polished.

Q5: How can I remember which form to use?

Use memory tips and practical exercises: think “were = unreal” and “was = real,” and always consider the context of the sentence.