[Grammar] If it weren't for and If it hadn't been for.

[ercantuncer]

Hi.Can you please explain the diffrence beetween following sentences?

1) If it weren't for your help, I would be unemployed now.

2) If it hadn't been for your help, I would have been unemployed now.

I think that the person told this sentences is not unemployed at the moment so what is the diffrence?

 

[Tarheel]

Hi.Can you please explain the difference between the following sentences?

1) If it weren't for your help, I would be unemployed now.:tick:

The person is working and is glad for the help "you" gave him/her.

2) If it hadn't been for your help, I would have been unemployed now.

Perhaps:

If it hadn't been for your help I wouldn't have a job.

​

 

[jawgar]

"If it were (not)...." is subjunctive mood for hypothesizing the contrary situation http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/subjunctive_mood.htm

"If I were angry, I would hit you."

"If it had (not) been...." is past perfect form used for discussing a past situation that had ended.

"I had been drinking beer, so I had fallen asleep in front of the TV."

Such tense and mood grammar questions are quite advanced and you need a good teacher or reference book to assist.

 

[Tarheel]

"If it were (not)...." is subjunctive mood for hypothesizing the contrary situation http://www.grammar-monster.com/glossary/subjunctive_mood.htm

You mean a hypothetical that might not ever happen?
;-)

"If I were angry, I would hit you."

I'll remember not to make you mad at me.
;-)

"If it had (not) been...." is past perfect form used for discussing a past situation that has ended.

"I had been drinking beer, so I fell asleep in front of the TV."

Such tense and mood grammar questions are quite advanced and you need a good teacher or reference book to assist.

I learn that stuff and then I promptly forget it. (Which is why it's Mike's job to explain it.)
;-)

 

[MikeNewYork]

In see no real difference. In both cases, the person is employed and he/she is grateful for your help.

The first is a second conditional; the second is a third conditional.

 

[Tdol]

I agree that there's not a huge difference- I would say that the third conditional version focuses more on the past, but the result is the same, as long as they're talking about the same situation, which the word now suggests is the case.