"If I were to say" vs. "If I said"
Hi, I have a question regarding conditional sentences. Can anyone explain to me what exactly the difference is between the following two sentences?

1. If I were to say, "I see," that would show the person who's telling me something that I'm
listerning.
2. If I said, "I see," that would show the person who's telling me something that I'm listening.

Is the second sentence even correct? Or is this structure only used in cases like this: If I won a million dollars, I'd be very happy.

Thanks.

Question

"If I were to say" vs. "If I said"
Hi, I have a question regarding conditional sentences. Can anyone explain to me what exactly the difference is between the following two sentences?

1. If I were to say, "I see," that would show the person who's telling me something that I'm    
    listerning.
2. If I said, "I see," that would show the person who's telling me something that I'm listening.

Is the second sentence even correct? Or is this structure only used in cases like this: If I won a million dollars, I'd be very happy.

Thanks.

Answer

I'm not sure about #2. It doesn't quite sound absolutely positively 100% right to me. I think it that technically it is incorrect grammar. If I were writing, I would use form #1. If I were speaking, I might use form #1 but I would be more likely to use form #2, especially in an animated, lively discussion.

The question is: is it ever correct to say "If I said." I don't think it's strictly correct.

And there are cultural subtleties. Sometimes it is wrong to use overly correct grammar--it can sound pompous, or old-fashioned, or pedantic.

Answer

They are both fine, but I think the first is passive. The second is actually more common...especially when hypothesizing about the future. 
The first is a bit more formal I think.

Answers · 2

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