| Element | FORM: FIXED EXPRESSIONS 'HAD IT NOT BEEN FOR', 'IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR' |
|---|---|
| SuperCat | PAST |
| SubCat | past perfect simple |
| Lexical Range | N/A |
| Level | C2 |
| Cando | Can use 'had it not been for' and 'if it hadn't been for' with a modal form for giving reasons. |
| Corrected Learner Example | Had it not been for the fact that I had already read the article, I would have thought that this woman was at least thirty years old. (Greece; C2 MASTERY; 2001; Greek; Pass) Another aspect of his emotional side is the fact that he is a very private person, and had it not been for this feature, he might have been able to react differently. (Denmark; C2 MASTERY; 1998; Danish; Pass) If it hadn't been for my lack of knowledge, skills, experience, and some other things like that, I wouldn't have been fired. (Israel; C2 MASTERY; 1997; Russian; Pass) They had become very good friends and their friendship could have gone a little further if it hadn't been for Dan's character. (Argentina; C2 MASTERY; 1993; Spanish - Latin American; Pass) |
| Uncorrected Learner Example | |
| Comments | N/A |
