Been for

[Adam Cruge]

I found this line in a story book.

She had thought it might be fun, and it probably would have been, if it had not been for the raging headache.

What is the meaning of "been for" in this sentence?

 

[philadelphia]

I found this line in a story book.


What is the meaning of "been for" in this sentence?

*Not a teacher

'She had thought it might be fun, and it probably would have been, if it had been without the raging headache.'

It had not been fun because of the raging headache.

So, for means because of or without; it depends on the context.

 

[euncu]

If she hadn't had a headache, she would have had fun.

 

[Adam Cruge]

I understood its meaning, but the "been for" construction is giving me hard time. Please explain such kind of construction.

 

[euncu]

***neither a teacher nor a native-speaker***

If it wasn't (weren't) for you, I wouldn't be here.
If it wasn't for you, I wouldn't have a job like this.(Don't be confused, to have a job, not would have)
If it hadn't been for Löw, The German team would have never made it to the semi-finals.