"if i were born" vs "if i were to be born"

Question

"if i were born" vs "if i were to be born"

Both "if I were born" and "if I were to be born" are correct, but they are used in slightly different contexts. "If I were born" is used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the past, while "if I were to be born" is used to talk about a hypothetical situation in the future.

Last Updated: March 31, 2024

This phrase is used to discuss hypothetical situations in the past. It is often used in conditional sentences to express unreal or unlikely situations.

Examples:

If I were born in a different country, my life would be very different.
If I were born a century ago, I would have experienced a very different world.

Alternatives:

if I had been born
if I had been brought into this world

This phrase is used to discuss hypothetical situations in the future. It is often used in conditional sentences to express unreal or unlikely future scenarios.

Examples:

If I were to be born in the future, I hope the world will be a better place.
If I were to be born into a wealthy family, my life would be very different.

Alternatives:

if I were to come into existence
if I were to be brought into this world

Answer 1

if i were born

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about hypothetical situations in the past.

Answer 2

if i were to be born

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to talk about hypothetical situations in the future.

"if i were born" vs "if i were to be born"

if i were born

if i were to be born

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