Lilyoftheorient
Junior Member
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2019
- Member Type
- Academic
- Native Language
- Vietnamese
- Home Country
- United States
- Current Location
- United States
I’m confused about the differences between If it weren’t versus If it hadn't been. I found this article on an English forum. Could someone who’s an English teacher or English expert please help me confirm that it’s correct.
You’re sitting in your car at the red light, stuck in traffic, you’d say
1. If it weren’t for the traffic, I wouldn’t be late.
When you arrives, and apologises to the people who were expecting you earlier, you would say:
2. if it hadn't been for the traffic, I wouldn't be late.
when everything is over and done - securely in the past. You were late. Talking about it a month later, you'd say:
3. If it hadn't been for the traffic, I wouldn't have been late.
My sentences
When I received the invitation, and I was feeling sick, I’d say
4. If I weren’t sick, I would be there for your birthday party.
When I meet the person who had invited me to the party months later, I’d say
5. If I had not been sick, I would have been there for your birthday party.
Thank you all
Lily
You’re sitting in your car at the red light, stuck in traffic, you’d say
1. If it weren’t for the traffic, I wouldn’t be late.
When you arrives, and apologises to the people who were expecting you earlier, you would say:
2. if it hadn't been for the traffic, I wouldn't be late.
when everything is over and done - securely in the past. You were late. Talking about it a month later, you'd say:
3. If it hadn't been for the traffic, I wouldn't have been late.
My sentences
When I received the invitation, and I was feeling sick, I’d say
4. If I weren’t sick, I would be there for your birthday party.
When I meet the person who had invited me to the party months later, I’d say
5. If I had not been sick, I would have been there for your birthday party.
Thank you all
Lily
