Example sentences of "[was/were] not for the [adj] " in BNC.
Next page| No | Sentence |
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| 1 | And in this case it seems likely that even if it were not for the depressed state of aggregate demand in the British market , the commodities produced by Talbot at Linwood would not have generated ‘ sufficient ’ profit for Peugeot . |
| 2 | If it were not for the uninspiring mug-shots of individual candidates on the bleak official hoardings and the mercifully brief ( maximum one minute ) party political broadcasts on radio and television , one would hardly know that an election was on . |
| 3 | If it were not for the hollow bones the 30-ton creature would have required inordinate amounts of energy , and thus more food , to move around . |
| 4 | If it were not for the debilitating character question , Clinton would surely have a fair chance of beating Bush . |
| 5 | The tears which coursed down his cheeks were not for the head groom . |
| 6 | ‘ We will open on Friday , Saturday and Sunday throughout the summit with a big display showing the prices that would be charged if it were not for the Common Agricultural Policy , ’ says a spokesman . |
| 7 | In Tune with the Infinite , subtitled Fullness of Peace , Power and Plenty , would not be out of place on any committed New Ager 's bookshelf if it were n't for the frequent references to God and the Holy Spirit . |
| 8 | He might even be passably attractive , Virginia told herself furiously , if it were n't for the villainous growth of stubble on his jaw . |
| 9 | ‘ If it were n't for the three dead men , this could be almost amusing . |
| 10 | In fact , if it were n't for the big blue logo and Oli Frey pic on the cover , there 'd be little to indicate to an early reader that this was indeed the same mag ! |
| 11 | As for the claim that the older acts and the common law had allowed the imposition of harsher penalties , this was not for the simple fact of combination but for activities linked with industrial disputes that could have attracted prosecution for riot , intimidation , assault or destruction of property as much after 1799 as before . |
| 12 | It was as if they realised that she was not for the rough and tumble of this world , like the aggressive women with shaggy hair styles who pushed their way through life thrusting their hard shopping baskets at defenceless men . |
| 13 | If it was not for the Grand Slam tournaments and the unique place they hold in the game , I am sure we would be losing this vital battle . ’ |
| 14 | The building was not for the new owner , but for a manager , or a bailiff . |
| 15 | They were undoubtedly used by the employers , and the strike was seized as a chance to bring them in — but it should be firmly stated here , since it is usually glossed over , that the damage to the strikers " cause was not for the first time , the result of actions by other men . |
| 16 | This now was not for the Seven . |
| 17 | Nenna wished to reply that it was not for the expected reasons — not pride , not resentment , not even the curious acquired characteristics of the river dwellers , which made them scarcely at home in London 's streets . |
| 18 | Cold , claustrophobic rhythms stripped of humanity and humour and performed with a complete disregard for such niceties as , well , performance , LFO 's brief appearance was not for the faint-hearted . |
| 19 | The job was not for the squeamish . |
| 20 | Say what you like about the Ryder Cup and The Belfry , if it was n't for the 9th , 10th and 18th holes , it would be as average as it looks . |
| 21 | If it was n't for the Great Video Game in the sky , I 'd probably be reduced to watching The Young Doctors . |
| 22 | Brutus had said that he killed Caesar for the general good but Antony is now saying that he did n't know why they killed him , otherwise he saying that it was n't for the general good . |
| 23 | It could be any other thirtysomethings ' flat if it was n't for the sled and cross-country skis on the balcony . |
| 24 | Owen had the impression that this was the first time for her , as it certainly was n't for the other two . |
| 25 | Well , I think all I can do is to reiterate that this road would not be considered for construction at all at this stage if it was n't for the probable re-siting of the erm transfer station and therefore we would not be looking at any aspect of it at this time if it were not for that . |
| 26 | Well it would be if it was n't for the tricky traps , perplexing puzzles , tantalising time limit and crafty creatures with an appetite for raw Rufus ! |
| 27 | What I 'm asking for is that we keep this approach up to fight this government to give er our senior citizens a better chance in this life , cos a lot of us here would not be here today if it was n't for the senior citizens who brought us up . |
| 28 | If it was n't for the evil shadow of this wicked body , we could all be a lot happier about Major 's slim majority . |
| 29 | She is not keen on hardbacks : ‘ If it was n't for the literary editors we would n't be publishing in hardback any more — some books we would , but not a lot . ’ |