If it wasn’t/weren’t for…

conjunction

Used to show that something or someone prevented possible negative or different outcome.

I would have been late for the meeting if it weren't for the alarm clock.

Idiomatic

conjunction

I would have been late for the meeting if it weren't for the alarm clock.

Idiomatic

Definition 1 of 1

Pro Tip 1/3

Emphasizes the cause of an event not happening or a situation being different.

We wouldn't have discovered the error if it wasn't for your attention to detail.

Pro Tip 2/3

Used for imagining a different outcome in a hypothetical situation.

If it weren't for the rain, we could have had the picnic.

Pro Tip 3/3

Commonly used to express thankfulness for someone's actions or presence.

If it weren't for your help, I wouldn't have finished the project on time.

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