Were it not for ≠ Had it not been for
Cả hai đều nghĩa “nếu không nhờ…”. Khác ở thì: Were it not for nói tình huống hiện tại (kết quả would). Had it not been for nói chuyện đã qua (kết quả would have).
Công thứcWere it not for + N, S + would + V · Had it not been for + N, S + would have + V3
Hiện tại (were)
Were it not for the internet, we would know far less. (= If it were not for the internet…)
Nếu không có internet, chúng ta sẽ biết ít hơn nhiều — đang nói hiện tại.
Quá khứ (had)
Had it not been for the internet, we would have missed the announcement.
Nếu hôm đó không có internet, chúng ta đã bỏ lỡ thông báo — chuyện đã xảy ra.
Sai: Were it not for the rain, we would have cancelled the picnic. (lẫn thì)
Đúng: Had it not been for the rain, we would have cancelled the picnic.
Hủy picnic là quá khứ → dùng had it not been for + would have.