Thanks for the reply!  I will keep searching and let you know if I find out
something more, if that's okay?  Take care--Jenny Cockrill


Haussamen, Brock wrote:

> Dear Jenny,
>     Both are forms of the subjunctive, a use of the verb that often refers
> to conditions that are contrary to fact, hypothetical, conditional, etc.
> "If I were you"--that sort of thing.  You can read more about the
> subjunctive in any good grammar text, but about the origins of those
> specific phrases, I can't find anything in the Oxford English Dictionary,
> although they are probably in there somewhere.
>     Hope this helps.  Also, I hope you will join the ATEG listserve and ATEG
> (the Assembly for the TEaching of English Grammar) itself.  Let me know if I
> can help.
>
> Brock Haussamen
> ATEG president
> [log in to unmask]
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Michael Southwell
> To: [log in to unmask]
> Sent: 7/26/00 9:26 AM
> Subject: [Fwd: Grammar Question!]
>
> forwarded for an answer from the true experts.  Please be sure not just
> to reply but to copy the original sender.  Thanks!
>
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: Grammar Question!
> Date: Tue, 25 Jul 2000 18:02:25 -0400
> From: Jenny Cockrill <[log in to unmask]>
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> Hi!  I found your site through links on the Grammar Lady's site.
> I was wondering if you might help me with these questions.
> What is the origin of the phrase "as it were"
> and the phrase "would that it were true"?
> What exactly do these phrases mean and when would we use
> them?
> Thank you for your time--Jenny Cockrill