Classic+ Int'l

Diction Corner with tutor Israel.

A Subtle Grammar Twist: Why "Were" Beats "Was" in Imaginary Situations

Take a look at these:

❌ If I was a bird, I would fly across the ocean.
✅ If I were a bird, I would fly across the ocean.

❌ If he was the teacher, he would cancel the test.
✅ If he were the teacher, he would cancel the test.

❌ If she was a queen, she would live in a castle.
✅ If she were a queen, she would live in a castle.

❌ If it was winter, we would be wearing jackets.
✅ If it were winter, we would be wearing jackets.

Notice something? These sentences don’t talk about reality — they describe imaginary or impossible situations. That’s why English grammar flips the normal rule.

👉 Normally, “was” is correct in past tense (I/he/she/it was).
👉 But when the situation is unreal, hypothetical, or contrary to fact, we switch to were no matter who the subject is.

More examples:

🟢 If I were rich, I’d travel the world. (But I’m not rich)
🟢 If you were invisible, what would you do first? (You’re not invisible)
🟢 If we were neighbors, we’d see each other often. (We aren’t neighbors)
🟢 If he were stronger, he could lift this table. (He isn’t strong enough)

💡 Quick Tip: In everyday casual speech, especially in American English, many people still say “If I was…”.
But in formal writing or polished English, always use “If I were” for imaginary conditions.

✨ Did you know this rule before now? Drop me a “YES” if you did or a “NO” if you just learned something new.

Pronunciation drill. #dictioncoach #speakright #englishtips

Pronounce:
Suite as SWEET ✅
Lose as LOOZ ✅

Diction Time With Tutor Israel

Good morning!

Been vs Being: What's the Difference? 🤔

Ever gotten confused between "been" and "being"? Let's break it down in simple terms! 😊

What are they?

- "Been" and "being" are both forms of the verb "to be".
- "Been" is the past participle of "to be".
- "Being" is the present participle of "to be".

*Been:*

- Used with "has" or "have" to talk about completed actions or states that started in the past and continue up to the present.
- Example sentences:
- I have been to London. (I've visited London at some point in my life)
- She has been studying English for three years. (She started studying English three years ago and continues to study)

Being:

- Used to describe a current or temporary state.
- Example sentences:
- I'm being patient with my friend. (I'm currently trying to be patient)
- She's being very quiet today. (She's unusually quiet at the moment)

How to Choose:

- Use "been" when:
- Talking about an action or state that started in the past and continues up to the present.
- Using the present perfect tense with "has" or "have".

- Use "being" when:
- Describing a current or temporary state.
- Talking about something that's happening now or is true at the moment.

*Ask Yourself:*

- Is it something that started in the past and continues up to the present? (Use "been")
- Is it something that's happening now or is temporary? (Use "being")

*Key difference:*

- "Been" is often used for completed actions or states that started in the past.
- "Being" is used for current or temporary states.

Get it right, and you'll be a pro! 💪

Now, practice makes perfect! Try using "been" and "being" in your own sentences. 📝

🎯 Diction & Vocabulary Tip: “Severally” vs “Several Times”

Do you know the difference?

Many English speakers mistakenly use severally when they mean several times.

📌 Let’s break it down:

Several times = many times / on many occasions.

Severally = separately / individually.

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❌ Wrong Usage:

1. I have called you severally today.

2. He has visited us severally this month.

✅ Correct Usage:

1. I have called you several times today.

2. He has visited us several times this month.

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💡 When to use “Severally” correctly:

The prizes were given severally to the winners. ✅ (meaning “separately”)

The committee members spoke severally on the issue. ✅ (meaning “one after the other”)

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🔑 Tip:
If you mean “many times,” say several times, not severally.
If you mean “individually or separately,” use severally.

Diction Corner With Tutor Israel. #dictioncoach #pronunciationtips #education

Pronounce
FORK as👇
Fawk /fɔːk/
Not ferk/feck

Pronounce VISIT as
👇
/'vizit/
Follow for more content

Pronounce Receipt
As
ReSEET.✅

Don't say
Cho-co-late❌
Say: Chock-lit✔️
/ˈtʃɒklit/