In fact if it were not for a strong feeling ...

[constantinusphilo]

In fact if it were not for a strong feeling that Ashok was in some way a talisman against danger, he would have been tempted to dismiss him...
M. Kaye, The Far Pavilions
When an unreal condition refers to the past, as is the case here, it has the form of a past perfect, so should it be if it had not been?

 

[jutfrank]

Strictly speaking, yes, and that's what I'd suggest you teach your students to use.

In reality, many users, even expert ones, would settle for using 'were' in these 'if it ... not for' structures, even when the condition is past, as is the case here.

 

[constantinusphilo]

Strictly speaking, yes, and that's what I'd suggest you teach your students to use.

In reality, many users, even expert ones, would settle for using 'were' in these 'if it ... not for' structures, even when the condition is past, as is the case here.

M. Kaye's mastery of English cannot be doubted, so there should be some shade of difference in meaning between the two.

 

[Piscean]

There is. Kaye made a slip like many users, even expert ones, as jutfrank told you.