if we were to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if we were to be" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are speculating about something that you do not expect to happen but want to discuss the implications of it if it did occur. For example: "If we were to be accepted into the program, it would be a huge honor for our entire town."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

If we were to be together, I'd like to work through these issues with you".

The New York Times

"If we were to be given four months, I would welcome it," he said at a news conference.

The New York Times

If we were to be deemed responsible, then we would not be able to conduct any interviews in the future".

The Guardian - Books

"If we were to be driven out of Iraq, extremists of all strains would be emboldened," Mr. Bush said.

The New York Times

If we were to be together, it would be at the expense of many things in our real worlds.

The New York Times

"If we were to be given four months, I would welcome it," he added, explicitly supporting the position of France, Germany and Russia.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

27 human-written examples

"That's exactly what we need if we are to be very successful at this tournament.

The Guardian - Sport

But if we are to be successful in Afghanistan, it is a risk we must take.

The New York Times

If we are to be fair to Ellison we must do our own digging.

The New York Times - Books

We need to adapt our approach if we are to be successful.

The Guardian

"If we are to be held accountable, we need resources, and that will take money".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if we were to be" to discuss unlikely or hypothetical scenarios in a formal and thoughtful manner. It signals a conditional situation that requires careful consideration of potential outcomes.

Common error

Avoid using simple future tense ("will") in the main clause when using "if we were to be". Instead, use conditional tenses like "would" or "could" to maintain grammatical consistency. For instance, correct: If we were to be selected, we would be honored. Incorrect: If we were to be selected, we will be honored.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if we were to be" functions as a conditional clause introducing a hypothetical situation or unlikely event. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and often used to speculate about the consequences of a scenario that is not expected to happen. It sets up a condition that, if met, would lead to a specific outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if we were to be" serves as a conditional clause to introduce a hypothetical situation and explore its possible implications. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable for speculation. It is commonly used in various contexts, particularly in news, media, science, and formal business settings, reflecting a neutral to formal tone. When constructing sentences using this phrase, it's crucial to maintain consistent tense usage in the main clause and use conditional auxiliaries like "would" or "could". By considering these nuances, you can effectively use "if we were to be" to discuss hypothetical scenarios with precision and clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

were we to be

Inverts the word order for a more emphatic and formal conditional.

if we should be

Similar to 'should we be' but slightly less formal.

should we be

Presents a more concise and formal conditional clause.

in the event that we were to be

Introduces a more formal tone, highlighting a contingency.

assuming we were to be

Highlights the assumption upon which the condition is based.

supposing we were to be

Similar to 'assuming' but slightly less formal.

if it happened that we were to be

Adds emphasis to the hypothetical nature of the situation.

if by some chance we were to be

Highlights the element of chance or unexpectedness.

on the off chance that we were to be

Indicates a low probability of the condition occurring.

if it were the case that we were to be

Adds length and complexity, emphasizing the hypothetical.

FAQs

How can I use "if we were to be" in a sentence?

Use "if we were to be" to introduce a hypothetical or unlikely condition, typically followed by a clause expressing the consequence. For example, "If we were to be offered the contract, we would need to review the terms carefully".

What's a more formal alternative to "if we were to be"?

A more formal alternative is "should we be", which inverts the subject and auxiliary verb for a more concise and elevated tone. For instance, instead of saying "If we were to be delayed", you could say "Should we be delayed".

Is it correct to use "will" in the main clause after "if we were to be"?

No, it's generally incorrect. "If we were to be" establishes a hypothetical condition, so the main clause should use a conditional auxiliary verb like "would" or "could". For example, say "If we were to be late, we would call", not "If we were to be late, we will call".

What are some situations where "if we were to be" is particularly appropriate?

"If we were to be" is suitable in formal writing, negotiations, or when discussing scenarios with a low probability of occurring. It adds a level of sophistication and emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the situation. For instance, "If we were to be acquired by another company, certain provisions would apply".