jei ne

If It Were Not for

Level 6

Jei ne tu, būčiau pasiklydęs. means If it had not been for you, I would have got lost.

How It Works

Present or past. Jei ne lietus, eitume pasivaikščioti. imagines a different situation now. Jei ne tu, būčiau pasiklydęs. imagines a different past result.

Compact clause. The verb būti is understood in this short construction. Use forms such as jei ne tu or jei ne tavo pagalba.

Ordinary if not. Jei ne can also simply begin a negative if-clause. Read the whole sentence: the set meaning if it were not for is not automatic whenever these two words appear together.

Examples (4)

  1. Jei ne tu, būčiau pasiklydęs.

    If it had not been for you, I would have got lost.

  2. Jei ne lietus, eitume pasivaikščioti.

    If it were not for the rain, we would go for a walk.

  3. Jei ne tavo pagalba, nebūčiau baigusi darbo.

    If it had not been for your help, I would not have finished the work.

  4. Jei ne triukšmas, čia būtų gera dirbti.

    If it were not for the noise, it would be nice to work here.

Common Mistakes

  • Using the object form of you in this compact clause.

    Jei ne tave, būčiau pasiklydęs.
    Jei ne tu, būčiau pasiklydęs.

    Use nominative tu in the intended if it had not been for you construction.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

jei neLevel 6If It Were Not for

Learn This First

Jei ne removes a circumstance hypothetically and gives the imagined result.

Words in This Pattern

jei