Using of "be" in an irreal situation. In order to expand my vocabulary and entertain myself at the same time, I read the entire saga "A song of ice and fire" by George R. R. Martin. In one chapter I f

Andrés

Using of "be" in an irreal situation. In order to expand my vocabulary and entertain myself at the same time, I read the entire saga "A song of ice and fire" by George R. R. Martin. In one chapter I found this sentence - "...shit on your wolves and giants, he would piss his pants if he knew we was coming." My question concerns the second part of the sentence, namely "if he knew we was coming." Shouldn't a character say "if he knew we were coming"? Is there an error commited by a simple soldier or a particular difference in use of the verb "be" in the irreal past? I appreciate all your help.

Nov 25, 2015 11:12 PM

Answers · 9

You are correct. It should be "if he knew we were coming." That is called the subjunctive mood. Some people do not use correct grammar when they talk. For example, you might also hear some say "you was" or "she have."

November 25, 2015

In ASOIAF a LOT of characters use incorrect English, depending on their education. You'll find that most highborn characters speak properly (a lot of them actually use vocabulary or grammar from Early Modern English that have died out in Modern English), while the small-folk often don't 'speak proper'.

November 26, 2015

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