if it were not for sth.中等

(49) This would be reasonable if it were not for the fact that scientists can easily arrange to cite themselves in their future publications, or get associates to do so for them in return for similar favours.

(49) 要不是科学家可以很容易地在自己日后发表的论文中安排自我引用，或者让同事为他们引用以换取类似的回报，这种做法本来是合理的。