"Were to" in the Present
FORM: [If ... were to + verb ..., ...]
USE: "Were to" can be used in the present to emphasize that the conditional form is extremely unlikely or unthinkably horrible. Notice that this special form is only used in the if-clause.
Examples:
- If she were to be rich, she would be horribly obnoxious.
- If I were to have no friends, who would I spend my time with?
- If Nathan were to be my boss, this job would be intolerable.
"Were to" in the Future
FORM:[If ... were to + verb ..., ...]
USE: "Were to" can be used in the future to emphasize that the conditional form is extremely unlikely or unthinkably horrible. Notice that this special form is only used in the if-clause.
Examples:
- If I were to lose my job next year, I would probably not find a new one quickly.
- If he were to fail his driving test tomorrow, he would have to take it again.
- If Sarah were to show up late to the birthday party, it would ruin the surprise.
"Were to" in the Past
FORM: [If ... were to have + past participle ..., ...]
USE: "Were to" can be used in the past to emphasize that the conditional form is extremely unlikely or unthinkably horrible. Notice that this special form is only used in the if-clause.
Examples:
- If the fire were to have destroyed the building, it would have been a tragic cultural loss.
- If the dam were to have burst, the entire town would have been destroyed.
- If Sarah were to have failed the final test, she would have lost her scholarship.
EXERCISES AND RELATED TOPICS