Unpacking The Past: What Were Johnny's Parents Like? A Deep Dive Into Descriptive Language
Have you ever found yourself pondering a question about someone's past, perhaps a figure from a story, a historical character, or even someone you know only through anecdotes? Imagine, for instance, the seemingly simple question: "What were Johnny's parents like?" Without direct information, our minds might wander, piecing together fragments, speculating, or even just wondering about the language we'd use to describe them. This seemingly straightforward inquiry opens up a fascinating exploration not just into character description, but into the very fabric of the English language itself, particularly the subtle yet crucial distinctions between words like "was" and "were."
While we might not have a definitive answer about Johnny's parents, the act of discussing them, imagining them, or even just forming the question, forces us to confront some fundamental grammatical rules. These rules ensure our descriptions, whether factual or hypothetical, are clear, precise, and understood as intended. Let's delve into the linguistic toolkit we use to paint pictures of the past, focusing on those often-confused verb forms.
The Foundational Difference: "Was" vs. "Were"
At its core, the distinction between "was" and "were" is about subject-verb agreement in the simple past tense. "Was" is used for singular subjects (I, he, she, it), while "were" is used for plural subjects (we, you, they).
Consider how we might start describing Johnny's parents:
- "Johnny's mother was a kind woman." (Singular subject: 'mother')
- "Johnny's parents were very supportive." (Plural subject: 'parents')
This basic rule seems simple enough, yet confusion often arises. As one might hear in conversation, "I found out they mentioned I was and sometimes they also mentioned I were." This highlights a common point of contention. The rule remains: for the first-person singular pronoun 'I' in the simple past, you almost always use "was" ("I was happy," "I was there"). The instances where 'I' takes "were" are specific and lead us directly into more nuanced grammatical territory: the subjunctive mood.
When "Were" Takes Center Stage: The Subjunctive Mood
The most common reason for using "were" with a singular subject, including "I," "he," "she," or "it," is when the sentence is in the subjunctive mood. The subjunctive mood is used to express wishes, hypothetical situations, conditions contrary to fact, demands, or suggestions.
If we're speculating about Johnny's parents, perhaps describing a situation that isn't real or is highly unlikely, the subjunctive "were" becomes essential. For example:
- "If Johnny's father were still alive, he would have taught him to fish." (This implies his father is not alive – a condition contrary to fact.)
- "I wish Johnny's mother were here to tell us her side of the story." (This expresses a wish for something that isn't currently true.)
- "Johnny behaved as if his parents were watching him, even though they weren't around." (This describes a hypothetical or unreal situation.)
This last example directly touches upon a common grammatical debate: "I learned from many sources that 'as if it were' is accepted by all native English speakers, and 'as if it was' is widely used, especially informally." Technically, when expressing a hypothetical or unreal condition following phrases like "as if," "as though," "if," or "I wish," the subjunctive form "were" is the grammatically correct choice, regardless of whether the subject is singular or plural. "You are correct that the sentence is subjunctive because of the indefiniteness introduced by 'as though'. The subjunctive takes the plural form of the past tense." This means even if we're talking about a singular entity, like "Johnny's childhood," if we say "It was as though Johnny's childhood were a fairytale," we're using the subjunctive to express a hypothetical or imaginative scenario.
While "was" might be heard informally in such contexts, especially in casual speech, for formal writing and precise communication, "were" is the preferred and grammatically sound option for the subjunctive mood.
Subject-Verb Agreement in Complex Sentences
Beyond the subjunctive, understanding subject-verb agreement is crucial, especially when subjects aren't immediately obvious. Consider sentences where the subject is separated from the verb by intervening phrases. For instance, if we were discussing the collective qualities of Johnny's parents:
- "Some of the best known qualities of Johnny's parents were their resilience and kindness." (Here, 'qualities' is the plural subject, not 'best known,' so 'were' is correct.)
This mirrors the example provided in our data: "some of the best known writers of detective fiction in the twentieth century were." Here, 'writers' is the plural subject, dictating the use of 'were'.
Similarly, when the subject is a collective noun or a phrase that might seem singular but refers to multiple items, the verb must agree with the true subject. "The minutes of the stockholders meeting were presented and discussed is the correct sentence," because "the subject 'minutes' is plural, and it should take a plural verb (were)." If we were to say, "The memories of Johnny's parents were vivid," 'memories' is plural, thus 'were' is correct.
Even with seemingly singular subjects, precision matters. The Purdue OWL (Online Writing Lab) offers an excellent example: "One of the boxes is open." The verb "is" agrees with the singular subject "one," not "boxes." If we applied this to Johnny's family, we might say, "One of Johnny's parents was a musician," clearly indicating a singular parent. However, if we were talking about two, we would use a plural: "Two of Johnny's parents (if that were possible in a hypothetical scenario!) were musicians."
Possibility, Probability, and Time: "Were" vs. "Have Been"
The question "What is the difference between were and have been?" also arises when discussing past events or characteristics. While both relate to the past, they convey different aspects of time and completion:
- Were: Refers to a state or action completed in the past. "Johnny's parents were young once." (They are no longer young.) "They were at the park yesterday." (The action is finished.)
- Have Been: Refers to an action or state that started in the past and continues into the present, or an action completed in the past but relevant to the present. "Johnny's parents have been married for fifty years." (They are still married.) "They have been very supportive throughout his life." (Their support continues or has had an ongoing impact.)
Understanding this distinction allows us to describe not just what Johnny's parents were like at a specific point, but also how their characteristics or actions might have endured or affected the present.
When "mentioning a possibility or a probability, a chance," the choice of verb form becomes even more critical. If we say, "It's possible Johnny's parents were adventurers," we're stating a past possibility. If we say, "If only Johnny's parents had been more understanding," we're expressing a wish about a past unfulfilled condition (past perfect subjunctive).
Just as we strive for accuracy in describing past actions (e.g., avoiding common errors like "CCleaner has been ran" – where "ran" should be "run" for the past participle), we must also be precise with "was" and "were" to convey the exact nuance of our meaning, whether it's a simple past fact or a complex hypothetical scenario.
Conclusion
While the actual characteristics of Johnny's parents remain a mystery to us, the journey of trying to describe them, even hypothetically, illuminates the intricate beauty and logical structure of the English language. From the fundamental agreement of "was" with singular subjects and "were" with plural ones, to the nuanced elegance of the subjunctive mood for expressing wishes and contrary-to-fact conditions, every word choice matters. Understanding these grammatical distinctions allows us to paint clearer, more accurate pictures with our words, whether we're recounting definite past events or venturing into the realm of what might have been.
Ultimately, whether you're pondering "What were Johnny's parents like?" or any other question about the past, a solid grasp of "was" vs. "were" and the subjunctive mood empowers you to communicate with greater precision and confidence, ensuring your message is not just heard, but truly understood.
Was vs. Were: How to Use Were vs. Was Correctly? - Confused Words
Grammar Archives - English Speaking Course
Was vs. Were: How to Use Them Correctly • 7ESL
