If the situation was the other way around, vs if the situation were reversed

Both phrases are correct and can be used interchangeably. They both express the idea of imagining a situation where the circumstances are reversed. The choice between 'was' and 'were' depends on the formality of the context, with 'were' being more formal and grammatically correct in traditional English.

Last updated: April 06, 2024 • 468 views

If the situation was the other way around,

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express the idea of reversing a situation.

This phrase is used to describe a hypothetical scenario where the circumstances are reversed from the current situation.

Show examples from the web [+]

If the situation was the other way around,
If the situation was reversed, I'm sure you wouldn't believe me, either.
If the situation was reversed, I'd drive over his face with a truck.
If the situation was not so tragic, one could laugh at it.
If the situation was reversed would you do it for me?
Look, if the situation was reversed, you know I'd pretend to be your boyfriend.
But what if the situation was slightly different?
I'm sure if the situation was reversed, you'd do the same for me.
They had a bit more autonomy, a bit more wealth, and the familial background that some of them could compete in certain contexts with imperial power if the situation was just right.
So if the situation was reversed, that's what you would've done?
Just answer one question... if the situation was reversed, would you do it for me?
And you have to think about what you would want if the situation was reversed, you know?
Okay, if the situation was reversed, would you want to spend time with your mother in a confined room with one window?
However, if the situation was to change and he was required to loosen many more bolts per shift, he would be at risk of exceeding the action value and the employer would need to take steps to reduce this.
AND I HAVE TO WONDER, THAT IF THE SITUATION WAS REVERSED, WOULD YOU HAVE DONE THE SAME FOR ME?
If the situation was reversed...
if the situation was unbearable.
You know, if the situation was reversed -
Mr Papanderou pointed out that the EU could call on NATO resources if the situation was to deteriorate.
What if the situation was reversed? Without brand new cacti guide or detailed knowledge of the current situation, you are often in a fix.
If the situation was reversed... and I was in the custody of jihadists, the only right I would have... is to have my head severed.

Alternatives:

if the situation were reversed
if the situation had been reversed
if the roles were reversed
if things were the other way around
if things were reversed

if the situation were reversed

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to express the idea of reversing a situation.

This phrase is used to describe a hypothetical scenario where the circumstances are reversed from the current situation.

Show examples from the web [+]

Think about it if the situation were reversed.
I know how I would feel if the situation were reversed - if they were in our territory holding a Federation citizen.
Imagine if the situation were reversed, and it was us asking them for help.
And if the situation were reversed, Nick would be in the same situation.
Sovereign, if the situation were reversed, I'm sure you would demand equal levels of representation.
And if the situation were reversed, I'd be telling you exactly what you're telling me.
If the situation were reversed, they wouldn't hesitate to do the same to us.
If the situation were reversed, even I couldn't get them back once they land.
If the situation were reversed -
I mean, if the situation were reversed...
I mean, if the situation were reversed...
But I know if the situation were reversed,
But I'd like to think that if the situation were reversed, you would do the same thing for me.
I'm sure you would if the situation were reversed.
Darling, what would you do if the situation were reversed?
If the situation were reversed, she'd do it for you in a heartbeat.
If the situation were reversed, I would turn the thing d I wouldn't even consider Moving to another continent right now.
If the situation were reversed and I was dying, you'd do the same thing.
If the situation were reversed, I would turn the thing d
If the situation were reversed, if Michael were here and you were holding Scyila, what would you do?

Alternatives:

if the situation was the other way around
if the situation had been reversed
if the roles were reversed
if things were the other way around
if things were reversed

What Our Customers Are Saying

Our customers love us! We have an average rating of 4.79 stars based on 283,125 votes.
Also check out our 2,100+ reviews on TrustPilot (4.9).

"Amazing! I like that the editors are REAL people and not A.I., like some use. The editors actually see clients as real people and not just apart of their job, and it shows. 💖"
moggie April 2025
"TextRanch has been a great help to me, especially at work because I often email my boss."
Jhey April 2025
"Thank you!"
Sachi Nakama July 2024
"I have literally been through chat, PI, claude, bard and bing and I got conflicting answers! Thank you! Human intelligence reigns!"
Retha July 2024
"Faster than AI"
CYNTHIA December 2023
"This was very helpful and I personally think this site is the best."
Kaden October 2023
"It was extremely thorough and very helpful!"
imperialelisa October 2023
"7 years without any disappointment. Always 100% satisfied. You guys are the best in the world at what you do. Thank you so much :)"
Zubair Alam October 2023
"In a world of text messages and online communication, this is great to have as a live tool. Thank you."
Selena October 2023
"Without textranch I would be stuck!"
宏祐 October 2023
"Accuracy and fast response. Personal comments from editor. Thank you."
Clh September 2023
"I wasn't aware of this service, it's fascinating and more reliable than standard IA tools available on the internet"
Arturo September 2023
"The fact that you can get reliable fast feedback on your texts."
Vinicius Antonio August 2023
"you guys are better than grammarly i'm being honest here"
ordinary July 2023
"OMG! This is really good than any other text correction tools I've used so far. Highly recommend this."
Vehan July 2023
"Very fast and accurate. thank you."
mojtaba July 2023
"I love this app because it's help to writing skills all of students ♥️"
Tarisini July 2023
"This was exactly the mistake I was looking for, the wording dind´t sound right at first. Better than grammarly!"
Ente July 2023
"The immediate help that I received was reassuring and very satisfactory. Thanks."
priiiyanshuu July 2023
"this helps A LOT for my studies."
kathnunez02 June 2023
"Woow!! I would never have expected such precision! Thank you soooo much!!"
Berta June 2023
"Real Time Editor and not AI. Many Thanks."
Priya June 2023
"The very first thing excites me about Textranch is how much your editors care."
sepideh June 2023
"The fact that texts are checked by human editors rather than by AI, etc. I appreciate this!"
Анна June 2023