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why in the second conditional you use "were" rather than "was"

For example I have heard the sentence

If I was your mother You would be a good son
and also

If I were your mother .......

Which one of them is ok?

Re: why in the second conditional you use "were" rather than "was"

You can use either. Personally, I prefer "If I were", but I recognise that through common usage "If I was" is also now acceptable.

The subject is covered here.