But for the witness's help, the police would never have caught the thief. Choose the sentence closest in meaning:

Într-un registru mai formal, „if” poate lipsi, iar auxiliarul trece înaintea subiectului: „Had I known” = „If I had known”, „Were I you” = „If I were you”, „Should you need help” = „If you should need help”. „But for” + substantiv și „if it hadn't been for” + substantiv înseamnă „dacă n-ar fi fost”: „But for your help, I would have failed.” = „If it hadn't been for your help, I would have failed.”