if i was not working vs if i were not working

Both "if I was not working" and "if I were not working" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "If I was not working" is used in informal situations, while "if I were not working" is used in formal or hypothetical situations.

Last updated: March 19, 2024 • 2219 views

This phrase is correct in informal contexts.

"if i was not working"

This phrase is commonly used in informal speech or writing to express a condition or situation in the past that may or may not be true.

Examples:

If I was not working yesterday, I must have been sick.
I would have gone to the party if I was not working late.
If I was not working on this project, I would have joined you for the movie.
I wonder what I would be doing now if I was not working here.
If I was not working so hard, I would have more time for myself.

Show examples from the web [+]

Jan 10, 2007 ... I would buy a Mac today if I was not working at Microsoft. If you run the equivalent of VPC on a MAC you get access to basically all Windows ...
Dec 12, 2006 ... "I would buy a Mac today if I was not working at Microsoft." Tuesday, Allchin used the Windows Vista team's blog to clarify his three-year-old ...
Aug 24, 2011 ... If I Was Not Working in the Circus. LoveYourWallaby. SubscribeSubscribed Unsubscribe 1111. Loading... Loading... Working... Add to ...
I see lots of random features and some great vision, but that doesn't translate into great products. I would buy a Mac today if I was not working at Microsoft.

Alternatives:

if I were not working
if I hadn't been working
if I didn't work
if I hadn't worked
if I weren't working

This phrase is correct in formal or hypothetical contexts.

"if i were not working"

This phrase is used in formal writing or in hypothetical situations to express a condition or situation that is contrary to fact or unlikely to happen.

Examples:

If I were not working on this project, I would be traveling around the world.
I would go to the concert if I were not working that night.
If I were not working so hard, I could spend more time with my family.
If I were not working for this company, I would start my own business.
I wish I were not working on weekends.

Show examples from the web [+]

... serving the upstream oilfield equipment and service industry. If I were not working for Spears & Associates, I'd be... learning about data fusion technology.
Nov 6, 2013 ... If I were not working tomorrow, I would help you. (Note that the 'were + present participle' structure is now in the 'if clause'. If I had time ...
You offer the type of activities I would do with my child, if I were not working! I think the holiday club is great value for money considering the amount of individual ...
Aug 18, 2015 ... ... have time to dive to into a variety of languages; What would I be doing if I were not working with WordPress and associated technologies?

Alternatives:

if I was not working
if I hadn't been working
if I didn't work
if I hadn't worked
if I weren't working

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if i was not working vs if i were not working