Example sentences of "[adj] if it [was/were] [adv] " in BNC.
Next page| No | Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1 | ‘ That might be funny if it were n't so utterly ludicrous . ’ |
| 2 | Peace reigns at last though , and everything in the smouldering remains of the garden would be rosy if it were n't for one little problem . |
| 3 | AT&T could find such co-operation elusive if it was also competing with them . |
| 4 | Our practice would be very different if it were generally unilateralist . |
| 5 | Evidence was reinterpreted that might seem to count against them : for example , the Earth 's long geological history , which seemed impossible if it were just a cooling sphere ; or the Sun 's apparently endless emission of energy , which was hard to explain in terms of its being made of coal , or fuelled by meteors , or contracting and giving out gravitational energy as heat and light . |
| 6 | The research team succeeded in getting their prize pair of chimps , Austin and Sherman , to flash images at each other and to respond appropriately by fetching the object signified for the other or to return empty-handed if it were not there . |
| 7 | It would be absurd if it were not so unlikely . |
| 8 | It means something like : surprisingly fanciable if it was socially OK to fancy women of that age . |
| 9 | I should be sorry if it were otherwise . |
| 10 | ‘ I 'm sorry if it was n't any good for you , ’ she whispered . |
| 11 | Daisy was screwing up her courage to accost Ricky and ask him for a drink after church when the Vicar launched into the final prayer about being made flesh , and she suddenly remembered the vast ox heart cooking in the oven for Ethel , which would burn dry if it was n't taken out , so she belted home . |
| 12 | The vagueness of this is understandable if it was simply intended to encourage the raising of a fleet before the meeting discussed it , and the archbishop later inserted with his own hand into a version of this chapter the words " if it is decided upon " . |
| 13 | This death of Solomon reissues would be understandable if it were not for treatment given by EMI to other pianists . |
| 14 | He said a derailment was likely if it was not replaced soon . |
| 15 | ‘ The internal dissension in the three parties , ’ wrote Beatrice Webb in her diary , ‘ each party finding its bitterest enemies among its own members or ci-devant members , would be ludicrous if it were not a sinister symptom of the decadent disrupture of British public opinion , owing to lack of faith either in the present order or in any consistent and comprehensive principles of reconstruction . ' |
| 16 | In some places abroad they have the women playing football before the actual big games which it would be helpful if it was here . |
| 17 | I 'm sure if it was n't for the explosions close at hand he would have dropped off to sleep . |
| 18 | I got that about two rounds ago , but I 'm not sure if it was either |
| 19 | Now , by this point Nick was n't sure if it was all some ghastly joke or not , and then he realized what had happened . |
| 20 | I am not sure if it was much faster but it was good to have company . |
| 21 | ‘ I do n't want anything , ’ he said roughly , though he was no longer sure if it were strictly true . |
| 22 | ‘ Somewhere … ’ is a mixture of blues , country and Ramonesian punk which might be good if it was n't played like Status Quo on an off-night . |
| 23 | That pool that pool would be really good if it was n't for the water . |
| 24 | A disclaimer would not be effective if it were merely contained in the small print of a contract or if it were simply the subject of a casual remark by the salesman during negotiations . |
| 25 | The Alexander technique would be invaluable if it were properly included in all drama training programmes . |
| 26 | The poem might be thought self-pitying if it were more believable . |
| 27 | Jolly nice if it was on . |
| 28 | The gratitude on Jackson 's face would have been pathetic if it was n't repellent . |
| 29 | It would be more surprising if it were otherwise — or so the new novel seems to tell , or remind . |
| 30 | Since the management is accountable and is producing the information , it would be rather surprising if it were otherwise . |