would it were true

[andersxman]

I've overheard an english native speaker say "would it were true" today, and was sort of confused byt this. What does it mean? I believe I've heard "would it be so" as well...

 

[cuchuflete]

It's a little shorter version than what I'm used to:
Would that it were true.

Translation to modern English: I wish that it were true.

 

[elroy]

It's an archaic way of forming the subjunctive, that I guess is still used every now and then.

Would it were true = if (only) it were true

 

[la reine victoria]

'Would it were true' or 'would that it were true' was widely used in 19th century speech and literature - mostly in a romantic way.

A 'would that it were' type of phrase is used in this extract from a poem, 'Lucinda', by Arthur Griffith.

''Oh! Lucinda!
My beaming, gleaming star,
I would that I were good enough
To dwell in dear Rathgar.''


LRV

Edit: 'Would it be so' - This is unfamiliar to me. I can understand 'would that it were so'.

 

[panjandrum]

"The subjunctive is alive and is routinely taught in all UK schools."
Would that it were so
Yours archaically and (if LRV is right) romantically,
Panj.