grammar · formal
Were + subject + to + base verb
A formal inversion used for hypothetical present or future situations; equivalent to 'If + past simple' or 'If S were to V'.
Examples
“Were she to accept the offer, the company would expand quickly.”
“Were the university to increase tuition, fewer students might apply.”
“Were I to win the lottery, I would donate a large sum to charity.”
Band 8 sentence
“Were the government to prioritise sustainable transport, air quality and commuter times across cities would improve noticeably.”
Collocations
- used to talk about hypothetical situations
- often followed by unlikely or formal scenarios
Common mistakes
If I was to win the prize, I would travel around the world.→If I were to win the prize, I would travel around the world.
Were I win the lottery, I would buy a house.→Were I to win the lottery, I would buy a house.
Say it for a higher band
5If + past simple, would + base verb→6If I was to + base verb→7+Were + subject + to + base verb
Synonyms
If + past simple, would + base verb
Easily confused
If + past simple, would + base verb
“If I won the lottery, I would buy a house.”
Related words
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In Tenses
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