if it were not for / but for
if it were not for / but for means “If it weren't for / but for: to say that one thing is the only reason something is or isn't the case”. If it weren't for X means 'without X': If it weren't for your help, I would be lost (your help is the only thing saving me). Formation: If it were not for + noun / Had it not been for + noun / but for + noun
If it weren't for / but for: to say that one thing is the only reason something is or isn't the case
C2Formation
If it were not for + noun / Had it not been for + noun / but for + noun
Explanation
If it weren't for X means 'without X': If it weren't for your help, I would be lost (your help is the only thing saving me). For the past, use if it hadn't been for: If it hadn't been for the doctor, he would have died. The formal inverted forms drop if: Were it not for... and Had it not been for.... But for + noun is a very formal equivalent: But for your support, we would have failed.
Examples
Note
Keep were (not was) in if it weren't for, even with a singular subject, because it is a hypothetical: If it weren't for him.
FAQ
if it were not for / but for — what does it mean and how is it used?
If it weren't for / but for: to say that one thing is the only reason something is or isn't the case. If it weren't for X means 'without X': If it weren't for your help, I would be lost (your help is the only thing saving me). For the past, use if it hadn't been for: If it hadn't been for the doctor, he would have died. The formal inverted forms drop if: Were it not for... and Had it not been for.... But for + noun is a very formal equivalent: But for your support, we would have failed.
if it were not for / but for — how do you form it?
If it were not for + noun / Had it not been for + noun / but for + noun
if it were not for / but for — any usage notes?
Keep were (not was) in if it weren't for, even with a singular subject, because it is a hypothetical: If it weren't for him.