Indefinite, Definite, Unique or Generic
The water coming from the pipes was cold.
Definite
Many people believe that breaking a mirror brings 7 years of bad luck.
It is believed that breaking a mirror brings 7 years of bad luck.
If _______ on a weekday, this plane would probably be full. (we / fly)
If we were flying on a weekday, this plane would probably be full.
I need _____ lemon. Can you stop somewhere?
I need a lemon. Can you stop somewhere?
________ the rain, we could be having lunch at the beach.
If it weren't for the rain, we could be having lunch at the beach.
The president was sitting in the studio.
Unique
They say that hanging a horseshoe with ends facing up brings good luck.
It is said that hanging a horseshoe with ends facing up brings good luck.
You'd be angry, too, if ________ the night in the airport! (you / spend)
You'd be angry, too, if you were spending the night in the airport!
Did you see ______ shuttle launch this afternoon?
Did you see the shuttle launch this afternoon?
_______ the traffic, I would have been on time to work this morning.
If it hadn't been for the traffic, I would have been on time to work this morning.
A slow cooker is a useful tool in the kitchen.
Generic
Estimates are that 10% of the population has a phobia.
It is estimated that 10% of the population has a phobia.
If I hadn't been bumped from my flight, _______ for the next one. (I / not / wait)
If I hadn't been bumped from my flight, I wouldn't be waiting for the next one. (I / not / wait)
Mary gave me ____ glass of wine. She said ____ wine was very good.
Mary gave me a glass of wine. She said the wine was very good.
I would eat at that restaurant all the time _______ the high cost.
I would eat at that restaurant all the time if it weren't for the high cost.
A dog ran over to the girl.
Indefinite
People once thought that iron horseshoes kept changelings away.
It was once thought that iron horseshoes kept changelings away.
I wouldn't have such a nice view of the city after take-off if _______ in a window seat. ( I / not / sit)
I wouldn't have such a nice view of the city after take-off if I weren't sitting in a window seat.
I just installed ____ new filter. ____ other filter was getting old.
I just installed a new filter. The other filter was getting old.
Taxis are expensive. Under other circumstances, I would take a taxi instead of the subway. (the cost)
I would take a taxi instead of the subway if it weren't for the cost.
The cat is one of the most popular pets in the world.
Generic
People used to say that evil spirits could enter your body while sneezing.
It used to be said that evil spirits could enter your body while sneezing.
If I had any choice in the matter, ______ now. (I / not / travel)
If I had any choice in the matter, I wouldn't be traveling now.
____ success she has had is because she is ____ hard worker.
The success she has had is because she is a hard worker.
Our first flight was delayed. Under other circumstances, we wouldn't have missed our connecting flight. (the delay of our first flight)
If it hadn't been for the delay of our first flight, we wouldn't have missed our connecting flight.