Tương tự như cấu trúc without, cấu trúc but for có thể được thay thế bởi cấu trúc “if it weren’t for” hoặc cấu trúc “if it hadn’t been for” trong câu điều kiện. Nghĩa của câu được bảo toàn khi sử dụng các cấu trúc này thay thế cho nhau.
Công thức chung:
Câu điều kiện loại 2: But for + N/V-ing, S + would/could/might/… + V
=> If it weren’t for + N/V-ing, S + would/could/might/… + V
=> If it weren’t for the fact that + S + V-ed, S + would/could/might/… + V
Ví dụ:
But for my tardiness, I could be offered the position I dreamt of.
(Nếu không vì sự chậm trễ của tôi, tôi đã có thể nhận được đề cử vào vị trí tôi hằng ao ước.)
=> If it weren’t for my tardiness, I could be offered the position I dreamt of.
=> If it weren’t for being tardy, I could be offered the position I dreamt of.
=> If it weren’t for the fact that I was tardy, I could be offered the position I dreamt of.
Câu điều kiện loại 3: But for + N/V-ing, S + would/could/might/… + have VPP
=> If it hadn’t been for + N/V-ing, S + would/could/might/… + have VPP
=> If it hadn’t been for the fact that + S + had VPP, S + would/could/might/… + have VPP
Ví dụ:
But for her mother’s advice, Susie could have married the wrong person.
(Nếu không có lời khuyên của mẹ cô ấy, Susie đã có thể cưới nhầm người.)
=> If it hadn’t been for her mother’s advice, Susie could have married the wrong person.
=> If it hadn’t been for being advised by her mother, Susie could have married the wrong person.
=> If it hadn’t been for the fact that she was advised by her mother, Susie could have married the wrong person.