were to make

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "were to make" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in hypothetical or conditional statements to indicate a situation that is not real but is being considered. Example: "If they were to make a decision today, it would greatly impact the project's timeline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

38 members were to make 15-min.

The New Yorker

What if American Mug were to make mugs for Starbucks?

The New York Times

If anyone were to make a disruptive scene, Marina's muscle moves in.

The Guardian - Arts

Dr. King addressed us before we were to make our witness.

The New York Times

If Helmut Lang were to make such a projection, I would listen".

The New York Times

If I were to make Persepolis 2, I would feel like puking up over myself.

The Guardian - Film

But if you were to make the opposing argument, it would involve gentrification.

The Guardian

Who did we think we were, to make them uproot themselves?

The New York Times - Magazine

Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, along with the Caucasian republics, were to make their own way.

The New Yorker

Strachan needed the Wigan playmaker to excel if his team were to make their mark.

The Guardian - Sport

One White House aide said the instructions were to make the speech "high-toned and nonpartisan".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "were to make", ensure the subsequent clause reflects the conditional nature of the statement, often using "would", "could", or "might".

Common error

Avoid using "were to make" in contexts that require a simple past tense or a present tense. This phrase is specifically for hypothetical or conditional scenarios, not for describing past or present factual events.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "were to make" functions as a conditional construction, introducing a hypothetical situation or possibility. It sets up a condition under which a particular outcome might occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is typically used in conditional statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Encyclopedias

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "were to make" is a versatile conditional construction, frequently employed to introduce hypothetical situations or potential actions. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. Predominantly found in news and media, but also present in encyclopedic and scientific sources, it maintains a neutral to slightly formal tone. When writing with "were to make", make sure you combine it with the appropriate conditional markers and tenses. Alternatives such as "if they happened to create" or "should they produce" can be used to express similar ideas with slightly different nuances. Be careful not to use it in contexts that require a simple past or present tense.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if they were creating

Simple change from conditional to continuous form

if they did create

Emphasize on creation using 'did'

if they happened to create

Emphasizes the element of chance or unexpected occurrence in the action.

should they be creating

Change to a continuous conditional form

should they produce

Suggests a more formal or structured approach to the hypothetical action.

if it came to crafting

Specifically relates to creating something with skill or artistry.

in the event they manufactured

Highlights the manufacturing aspect, focusing on a product or output.

assuming they fashioned

Implies a degree of creativity or skill in bringing something into being.

suppose they assembled

Focuses on the act of putting parts together to create something.

presuming they constructed

Indicates a more structured or engineered approach to creation.

FAQs

How to use "were to make" in a sentence?

Use "were to make" to express a hypothetical or conditional situation. For example, "If they "were to make" a mistake, the entire project could be jeopardized."

What can I say instead of "were to make"?

Alternatives include "were creating", "happened to create", or "should they produce", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Which is correct, "were to make" or "was to make"?

"Were to make" is generally used for hypothetical situations involving plural subjects or with 'you', 'we', and 'they'. "Was to make" is used for singular subjects like 'he', 'she', or 'it' in similar hypothetical contexts. Note that “"were to make"” is more usual, even with singular subjects.

What's the difference between "were to make" and "are going to make"?

"Were to make" suggests a hypothetical or conditional scenario, while "are going to make" indicates a plan or intention. For example, "If they "were to make" changes, it would be drastic" (hypothetical) versus "They are going to make changes next week" (planned).