As the practice of all writers and good speakers, and even of the vulgar, is nearly uniform in the distinction here mentioned, it is needless to produce more examples for illustration. One verb however deserves a separate consideration; which is be. In the use of this verb in the hypothetical sense, there is a difference between good authors and common parlance; the first write were, but most people in conversation say, was. Thus,
"Every rich man has usually some sly way of jesting, which would make no great figure, were he not rich."——Spect. No. 2.
"He will often argue, that if this part of our trade were well cultivated, we should gain from one nation," &c.—— Same.
"Were I (if I were) a father, I should take a particular care to preserve my children from these little horrors of imagination."——Same, No. 12.
"Nor think, tho men were none,
That heaven would want spectators, God want praise."
Milton, P. L.
"What then he was, oh, were your Nestor now."
Pope, Iliad, b. 7. 189.
"Yes, if the nature of a clock were to speak, not strike."——Ben Johnson.