Оборот “if ... was/were to” в Английском языке

 

This is another way of talking about unreal or imaginary future events.

If the boss was/were to come in now, we'd be in real trouble. (= If the boss came ... )
What would we do if I was/were to lose my job?

It can be used to make a suggestion sound less direct, and so more polite.

If you were to move your chair a bit, we could all sit down.
This structure is not normally used with verbs like be or know, which refer to continuing situations.
If I knew her name ... (NOT If were to know her name ... )”

 

if it was/were not for

This structure is used to say that one event or situation changes everything.
If it wasn't/weren't for his wife's money he'd never be a director. (= Without his wife's money ... )
If it wasn't/weren't for the children, we could go skiing next week.

To talk about the past we use If it had not been for.
If it hadn't been for your help, I don't know what I'd have done.

'But for' can be used to mean 'if it were not for' or 'if it had not been for'.
But for your help, I don't know what I'd have done.