No, we’re not talking about Valley Girl vernacular. Many writers get this wrong, including me, so I wanted to post it so we could all remember this simple rule.
A conditional in literature and computer programming means using the word “IF.” As we’re writing prose, many times we’ll use a conditional as a metaphor, using the phrase as if.
Quick Quiz: Do you use WAS or WERE?
His head started to swell as if he ___ an alien from Mars.
“AS-IF” RULE:
- Use WAS if the conditional phrase is possible.
- Use WERE if the conditional phrase is not possible.
In this case, you would use WERE.
His head started to swell as if he were an alien from Mars. (Not possible to change into an alien from Mars.)
His head started to swell as if he was suffering from the mumps. (It is possible a person could have the mumps.)
Hope that helps when you’re writing your great American novel! Check back here for more writing tips.
~ Jennifer
