grammar · academic
Were + subject + to + V
A formal inverted conditional used for hypothetical or unlikely future situations: 'Were someone to do something, ...'.
Examples
“Were the company to raise prices, customers would protest.”
“Were we to ignore the warnings, the consequences could be severe.”
“Were she to accept the post, the team would improve quickly.”
Band 8 sentence
“Were the government to impose stricter regulations, industries would need to innovate quickly to comply.”
Collocations
- Were + subject + to + verb
Common mistakes
If he were to accept the offer, we will be happy.→Were he to accept the offer, we would be happy.
Was she to accept, we would celebrate.→Were she to accept, we would celebrate.
Say it for a higher band
5If + past simple→6If + past simple (more formal)→7+Were + subject + to + V
Synonyms
If + past simple
Easily confused
If + past simple, would + V
“If the government introduced the law, businesses would need to adapt.”
Related words
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In Complex sentences
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