If it wasn't for

Question

Can you tell me if 'if it wasn't for' is an idiom, expression, because when I say it, it doesn't mean anything to me. Do you know what I mean?

Are any of these correct?

If it wasn't for him, he'd be dead.
If it wasn't for him, he'd be alive.

Is this correct?
If it was for him, he'd be dead/alive.

Thanks

Philip · Accepted Answer

It isn't really an idiom, but rather a natural construction using the subjunctive mood. [ If it weren't for my headache, I'd love to go to the party tonight. ]

Anonymous · Answer

Are any of these correct?
I don't really get what they both mean.
If it wasn't for him, he'd be dead.
If it wasn't for him, he'd be alive.

Is this correct?
If it was for him, he'd be dead/alive.

Anonymous · Answer

Are any of these correct?

If it wasn't for him, he'd be dead.
If it wasn't for him, he'd be alive.

Is this correct?
If it was for him, he'd be dead/alive.

Can you tell me if this is natural and makes sense?

If it wasn't for the fact that my arm falls asleep when I sleep on my side, I'd sleep on my side.
If it wasn't for the fact that my arm falls asleep when I sleep on my side, I wouldn't sleep on my side.

Thanks

Philip · Answer

AnonymousIf it wasn't for him, he'd be dead.If it wasn't for him, he'd be alive.

They could be correct if the him and the he aren't the same people. I still prefer weren't.

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousIf it wasn't for him ... doesn't mean anything to me

Also, If it hadn't been for him, which I use more often.

~ Without him.
~ He was the only person who [prevented / could prevent] the situation described.

If it hadn't been for the barriers along the roadside, we would have gone over the cliff.
~ Without the barriers we would have gone over the cliff.
~ The barriers were the only thing that prevented us from going over the cliff.

If it hadn't been for Mary, Alice would be dead.
~ Without Mary, Alice would be dead.
~ Mary was the only one who was able to prevent Alice's death.
___________

There is an added nuance of owing, indebtedness.

We owe our being saved from going over the cliff to the barriers.
Alice owes her life to Mary. Alice is indebted to Mary for saving her (Alice's) life.

CJ

Anonymous · Answer

Is this possible?

If it wasn't for her, he'd be alive.
If it was for her, he'd be dead/alive.

Can you tell me if this is natural and makes sense?

If it wasn't for the fact that my arm falls asleep when I sleep on my side, I'd sleep on my side.
If it wasn't for the fact that my arm falls asleep when I sleep on my side, I wouldn't sleep on my side.

Thanks for you explanation

CalifJim · Answer

AnonymousIf it wasn't for her, he'd be alive.

Yes. She caused his death.

AnonymousIf it was for her, he'd be dead/alive.

Impossible. The idiom is always in the negative.

AnonymousIf it wasn't for the fact that my arm falls asleep when I sleep on my side, I'd sleep on my side.
If it wasn't for the fact that my arm falls asleep when I sleep on my side, I wouldn't sleep on my side.

They are both fine grammatically, but the second one doesn't make any sense.
The first says that if you could sleep comfortably on your side, you would sleep on your side.
The second says that if you could sleep comfortably on your side, you would not sleep on your side.

On second thought, the second one makes sense if the speaker is trying to deprive himself of comfort.

CJ

If it wasn't for

Top answer

Get the Weekly English Kit 📬

Related Questions