Estructuras idiomáticas y cultas
were it not for, but for, come what may, be that as it may, as it were, lest.
| Estructura | Sentido | Ejemplo |
|---|---|---|
| were it not for / had it not been for / but for | de no ser por, de no haber sido por, sin | Were it not for you, I'd be lost. Had it not been for the rain, we'd have won. But for your help… |
| come what may | pase lo que pase | I'll support you, come what may. |
| be that as it may | sea como sea | Be that as it may, we must decide. |
| as it were | por así decirlo | He is, as it were, a living legend. |
| lest + (should) base | no sea que, para que no (muy formal) | Speak quietly lest you wake the baby. |
| so be it | así sea | If that's your decision, so be it. |
| far be it from me to | lejos de mí | Far be it from me to criticise, but… |
| the + comparativo, the + comparativo | cuanto más…, más… | The sooner, the better. |
Test yourself
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Reescribe: If it hadn't been for the traffic, we'd have arrived on time. (But for…)
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But for the traffic, we'd have arrived on time. -
Traduce: «Pase lo que pase, estaré allí.»
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Come what may, I'll be there. -
Traduce: «Sea como sea, tenemos que actuar.»
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Be that as it may, we must act. -
¿Qué significa «as it were»?
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por así decirlo