conditional (inversion) · formal
Were it not for + noun, clause
A formal inverted conditional meaning 'if it were not for (something)'. Used to say that something does not happen/exist because of that thing.
Examples
“Were it not for her advice, I would have made a terrible decision.”
“Were it not for modern transport, long-distance study would be much harder.”
“Were it not for the new policy, many small businesses would have closed.”
Band 8 sentence
“Were it not for public investment in education, social mobility in many regions would remain severely limited.”
Collocations
- Were it not for + someone's help
- Were it not for + a policy/change
Word family
Common mistakes
Were it not for she help, I...→Were it not for her help, I...
Was it not for the rain, we would...→Were it not for the rain, we would...
Because of the rain, we would not have come.→Were it not for the rain, we would not have come.
Say it for a higher band
5Because of + noun→6If there wasn't + noun→7+Were it not for + noun, clause
Synonyms
If it weren't for + noun
Easily confused
If there wasn't + noun
“If there wasn't so much traffic, we'd arrive earlier.”
If it hadn't been for + noun
“If it hadn't been for her advice, I would have failed the exam.”
Related words
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In Conditionals
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