问
我不明白 if it had not been for 是什么意思。
答
if it had not been for 是 if it were not for 的过去式,后者表示与现在事实相反的条件或假设,而前者表示与过去事实相反的条件或假设。请看实例(请注意主句的时态):
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If it had not been for Margaret, I might not have understood. (Snow) 如果没有玛格丽特, 我可能就不理解了。
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If it hadn't been for the doctor's care, I should not be speaking to you now. 如果那时没有医生们的照料，我现在就不能和你讲话了。
(参见 if it were not for)