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