Can you say: I wouldn't be doing this unless I'm desperate. VS I wouldn't be doing

[B45]

Can you say:

I wouldn't be doing this unless I'm desperate.

VS

I wouldn't be doing this unless I was desperate.

Are both okay?

 

[emsr2d2]

Only your second sentence is correct. Some people will use the subjunctive mood there "I wouldn't be doing this unless I were desperate". If you wanted to use "I'm desperate", you would need "I won't do it unless I'm desperate".