ESL Usage Lesson: If it weren’t for [A], I never would have [B]

This lesson teaches students the correct usage of “If it weren’t for …, I never would have …”, with several examples sentences and a worksheet to practice making sentences of their own.

Download lesson as pdf

---

If it weren’t for [A], I never would have [B]

[B] is only possible because [A] happened first

If [A] hadn’t happened, then [B] couldn’t have happened

Examples:

· If it weren’t for that medicine, I never would have gotten better.

· If it weren’t for that medicine, I would still be sick.

· If it weren’t for my English teacher, I never would have passed the test.

· If it weren’t for airplanes, I never would have been able to see the world.

· If it weren’t for email, I would rarely have a chance to communicate with my mom.

· If it weren’t for my husband, I never would have gotten over cancer.

· If it weren’t for the fact that I exercise every day, I would still be overweight.

· If it weren’t for his son, he would still be immature.

· Those people would still be alive if it weren’t for the tornado.

· Many children wouldn’t be reading for fun today if it weren’t for the Harry Potter books.

---

Complete the sentences:

If it weren’t for the matchmaker, ________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

If it weren’t for the typhoon_____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

If it weren’t for Michael Jordan, _________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

If it weren’t for my bicycle, _____________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

I never would have gotten sick __________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

I never would have learned Chinese ______________________________

_____________________________________________________________

The police never would have solved the crime _____________________

_____________________________________________________________

I never would have met my spouse ______________________________

_____________________________________________________________

Write 2 more sentences using “If it weren’t for [A], I never would have [B]”

1. ___________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________