grammar · formal
Were + subject + to + V, clause
A formal inversion used instead of 'If + subject were to + V' to talk about hypothetical or unlikely future events.
Examples
“Were the government to increase taxes, public services might suffer.”
“Were I to be offered the post, I would accept it reluctantly.”
“Were the company to expand abroad, it would face new regulatory challenges.”
Band 8 sentence
“Were the university to offer such interdisciplinary programmes, it would attract a broader range of applicants.”
Collocations
- were to + base verb
- might/would/could + V
Common mistakes
Were the school increases tuition, many students would drop out.→Were the school to increase tuition, many students would drop out.
Were I offered the job, I will accept it.→Were I offered the job, I would accept it.
Say it for a higher band
5If + subject were to + V, clause→6If + past simple, would + V→7+Were + subject + to + V, clause
Synonyms
If + subject were to + V, clause
Easily confused
If + subject were to + V, clause
“If the policy were to change, businesses would need time to adapt.”
If + present simple, will + V
“If the policy changes, businesses will need time to adapt.”
Related words
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In Conditionals
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