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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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if there existed

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if there existed" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in hypothetical or conditional statements to discuss situations that are not real or do not currently exist. Example: "If there existed a perfect solution to this problem, we would have implemented it by now."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

In our programs, we selected the nearby 6 Gaussian models for checking, and we chose the nearest one if there existed any trained Gaussian model.

We first transformed the original SNP-SNP interaction network into a gene-gene interaction network by setting each vertex as a gene and connecting two genes if there existed at least one pair of SNPs, each from one of the two genes, that had a significant and strong pairwise interaction in the original SEN.

If there existed a student organization in all that time, it left no fossil evidence.

News & Media

The New York Times

If there existed a smattering of cynicism from sceptics before the tournament, there was only optimism here.

If there existed an imbalance in the current brawl, actually, it was that Fox News wasn't fully staving off the old leftward tilt.

His enterprise, he insists, "would be entirely superfluous if there existed photographic traces of the gaze of the colonized upon the colonizer".

News & Media

The New Yorker
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Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

9 human-written examples

(5)if there exists such that, then for every.

If, there exists satisfying.

(3) If, there exists satisfying.

If there exists (3.8).

If there exist a r.v.

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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if there existed" to introduce hypothetical scenarios or conditions, especially when discussing possibilities that did not occur in the past or are unlikely to occur in the future. For example, "If there existed a way to travel faster than light, space exploration would be revolutionized."

Common error

Avoid using "if there exists" when referring to a past or hypothetical situation. The correct form, "if there existed", indicates a condition that is contrary to fact or unlikely to occur.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

81%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if there existed" introduces a hypothetical or conditional clause, presenting a scenario that is not necessarily true or factual. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it sets up a condition upon which the rest of the sentence depends.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

62%

News & Media

31%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if there existed" is a grammatically correct and frequently used construction for introducing hypothetical scenarios, primarily within formal contexts such as science, news, and business. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage and provides numerous examples demonstrating its versatility. When writing, remember that "if there existed" is used for hypothetical past conditions, not present realities, and explore alternatives like "if there was" or "assuming there existed" to fine-tune the tone.

FAQs

What's a good substitute for "if there existed"?

Alternatives include "if there was", "if there were", or "assuming there existed" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

How do I use "if there existed" in a sentence?

Use "if there existed" to introduce a hypothetical condition or a situation that is not currently true. For instance, "If there existed a cure for all diseases, healthcare systems would be drastically different."

Is it correct to say "if there exists" instead of "if there existed"?

While "if there exists" is grammatically correct for present or general conditions, "if there existed" is more appropriate when discussing hypothetical or past conditions that are not currently true. The choice depends on the context and the intended meaning.

What is the difference between "if there was" and "if there existed"?

"If there was" is a more common and general way to express a past hypothetical. "If there existed" is more formal and emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the existence itself. For example, "If there was a problem, we would have addressed it" versus "If there existed a perfect solution, we would have implemented it."

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: