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Aleilei Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

Difference between had been and were

Hello,

I'd like to the different meaning between the following two senses of the same sentence:

1. If it hadn't been for you, I would have never done it.

2. If It weren't for you, I would never do it.

Could anyone explain and give an example/context for each where the other sense shall not be used?

Thanks in advance!
  

Top answer

I think #1 is past tense and #2 is either present or future tense.

— Doug Sherman

  • I think #1 is past tense and #2 is either present or future tense.
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3 Answers
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I think #1 is past tense and #2 is either present or future tense.
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Thanks Doug,

Could you please give me an example which shows the difference between past and present tense in above usage?
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ugh.. now I have to think!!

Let's see... Say a friend talked you into doing something that you didn't want to do. Before you did it you could say "If it weren't for you I would not be doing it/this."

and, in the end, it worked out great. You could then say... "Thanks! If it hadn't of been for you, I would never have done it."

Might be a bad example but it's how I
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