is were to

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is were to" is not correct in English and does not make sense as it stands.
It seems to be a confusion of "is" and "were," which are different forms of the verb "to be." Example: "If he were to arrive early, we could start the meeting on time."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

No word on what will happen to the nation's auction houses and antiques fairs if Flog It!, Cash in the Celebrity Attic and Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is were to disappear from screens.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

One objective may have been to provide relief for Syrian Kurds struggling to hold out against an IS onslaught; if IS were to take Kobane despite being under air attack it would be a striking victory.In Washington, Republican and Democratic leaders in Congress offered bipartisan support, broadly reflecting the changed mood of their constituents.

The Economist

Moreover, in the event IS were to overrun the refinery, it's not clear if the Iraqi security forces defending the facility could be evacuated.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

He's been to Bergen Pines.

The New Yorker

He's been to Iraq twice.

The New York Times

"She's been to a Chinese restaurant".

The New Yorker

"He's been to these events before".

The New York Times

This year he's been to.

Forbes

"He's been to disaster areas".

Los Angeles Times

Obsolete industry is being allowed to die.

The Economist

Their army is being chewed to bits.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When expressing hypothetical scenarios, ensure subject-verb agreement. Use "if it were to" for singular subjects in formal contexts, or rephrase for clarity.

Common error

Do not mix singular and plural verb forms. "Is" is singular, while "were" is typically plural or subjunctive. Using them together creates a grammatical error. Use the correct form of the verb "to be" based on the subject and context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is were to" is a grammatical error resulting from incorrect conjugation of the verb "to be". It combines the third-person singular present indicative "is" with the past subjunctive "were", creating a non-standard construction. Ludwig AI reports this as an error.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is were to" is grammatically incorrect and should be avoided. It combines singular and plural verb forms inappropriately, leading to a non-standard construction. As Ludwig AI points out, it's a grammatical error. The correct usage depends on the intended meaning and context. For hypothetical scenarios, "if it were to" or "if it was to" (in informal contexts) are suitable alternatives. Be sure to maintain subject-verb agreement and choose the appropriate verb form for the desired level of formality. While examples can be found, they do not legitimize the phrase; rather, they highlight where the error occurs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if it were

Uses the correct form of "to be" in a conditional statement; simple correction.

if it was to

Replaces "were" with "was" to agree with the singular "it", framing a hypothetical situation.

if it should

Uses "should" to express a hypothetical or conditional scenario.

if it happened to

Emphasizes the accidental or unexpected nature of a hypothetical event.

in the event that it was to

Adds formality, specifying a condition with a more elaborate structure.

supposing it was to

Introduces a hypothetical situation as a supposition or assumption.

assuming it was to

Frames the hypothetical as a condition that is being assumed to be true.

if the situation was to

Substitutes "it" for "the situation", making the sentence more specific.

should it be

Inverts the structure for emphasis, expressing a formal hypothetical condition.

if that was to

Replaces the subject with "that", focusing on a previously mentioned situation.

FAQs

What is the correct way to use the verb "to be" in a conditional sentence?

In conditional sentences, use "was" for singular subjects in informal contexts and "were" in formal contexts or when expressing a hypothetical situation. For example, "If I "was to" go..." (informal) or "If I "were to" go..." (formal/hypothetical).

What are some alternatives to using "if it were to"?

Alternatives include "if it "should happen to"", "if it "happened to"", or simply "if it was going to", depending on the level of formality and the intended meaning.

Is "is were to" ever correct in English?

No, the phrase "is were to" is grammatically incorrect due to the mismatch between the singular verb "is" and the past subjunctive "were". This combination does not follow standard English grammar rules.

How does the formality of a sentence affect the choice between "was" and "were" in conditional clauses?

In more formal writing, "were" is often preferred for hypothetical or conditional clauses, regardless of the subject's number. In informal contexts, "was" is commonly used with singular subjects. Using "if I were to" is always grammatically correct and conveys a higher degree of formality than "if I was to".