Question:medium

Given below sentence. A part of each sentence is underlined which may contain an error. Replace the underlined part with the right choice
If I am a king I would give this order

Updated On: Nov 25, 2025
  • If I was a king
  • If I were a king
  • If I being a king
  • If I are a king
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The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

The correct answer is option (B):
If I were a king

The sentence "If I am a king I would give this order" uses the past subjunctive mood. This mood is used to express hypothetical or counterfactual situations, wishes, or unreal conditions. When the condition is contrary to fact, as in this case (the speaker is not a king), the past subjunctive is used in the 'if' clause. For the verb 'to be' in the past subjunctive with any subject (I, you, he, she, it, we, they), 'were' is used. Therefore, "If I were a king" is the grammatically correct construction.

Let's analyze the options:
'If I was a king' is incorrect because 'was' is the simple past tense and is generally not used in the past subjunctive for hypothetical situations. While some informal contexts might allow it, 'were' is the standard and universally accepted form for the past subjunctive.
'If I were a king' is correct as explained above, using the past subjunctive 'were'.
'If I being a king' is grammatically incorrect. 'Being' is a present participle and cannot function as the main verb in a conditional clause like this.
'If I are a king' is incorrect because 'are' is the present tense form of 'to be' for plural subjects or 'you'. It does not fit the hypothetical nature of the sentence.

Therefore, the correct replacement for the underlined part is "If I were a king".
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