pronunciation note: Often pronounced (ɪf) at the beginning of the sentence.
1. conjunction
You use if in conditional sentences to introduce the circumstances in which an event or situation might happen, might be happening, or might have happened.
She gets very upset if I exclude her.
You'll feel a lot better about yourself if you work on solutions to your upsettingsituations.
You can go if you want.
If you went into town, you'd notice all the pubs have loud jukeboxes.
What I did was right and if I had done anything less it would have been wrong.
Fry remaining peppers, adding a little more dressing if necessary.
Do you have a knack for coming up with ideas? If so, we would love to hear from you.
Synonyms: when, whenever, every time, any time More Synonyms of if
2. conjunction
You use if in indirect questions where the answer is either 'yes' or 'no'.
He asked if I had left with you, and I said no.
I wonder if I might have a word with Mr Abbot?
Synonyms: whether More Synonyms of if
3.
See if not
4. conjunction
You use if, usually with 'can', 'could', 'may', or 'might', at a point in a conversation when you are politely trying to make a point, change the subject, or interrupt another speaker.
If I could just make another small point.
So, if we may return strictly to athletics again for a few minutes.
Well, it's the old argument Max, which is a bit ridiculous if you don't mind me sayingso.
Well if you want my opinion, unless you do it soon you're gonna lose the opportunity.
5. conjunction
You use if at or near the beginning of a clause when politely asking someone to do something.
[politeness]
I wonder if you'd be kind enough to give us some information, please?
If you will just sign here, please.
6. conjunction
You use if to introduce a subordinate clause in which you admit a fact which you regard as less important than the statement in the main clause.
If there was any disappointment it was probably temporary.
So what if sometimes they stayed rather late, it doesn't mean anything.
7. phrase
You use if not in front of a word or phrase to indicate that your statement does not apply to that word or phrase, but to something closely related to it that you also mention.
A number of recent advances hold out if not the hope of a cure, then at least thepossibility of a treatment which could stop the spread of the virus.
She understood his meaning, if not his words.
8. phrase
You use if ever with past tenses when you are introducing a description of a person or thing, to emphasize how appropriate it is.
[emphasis]
I became a distraught, worried mother, a useless role if ever there was one.
If ever there was the right person in the right job it was she.
If ever a man needed your love, I need it.
9.
See if only
10. phrase
You use if only to express a wish or desire, especially one that cannot be fulfilled.
[feelings]
If only you had told me that some time ago.
If only it were that simple!
'Hey, listen to me, all that nonsense is over.'—'If only, Timothy, if only.'
11. phrase
You use as if when you are making a judgment about something that you see or notice. Your belief or impression might be correct, or it might be wrong.
The whole room looks as if it has been lovingly put together over the years.
His heart was pounding, as if he were frightened.
12. phrase
You use as if to describe something or someone by comparing them with another thing or person.
He points two fingers at his head, as if he were holding a gun.
The two cousins looked as if they'd been carved from blocks of ice.
13. phrase
You use as if to emphasize that something is not true.
[spoken, emphasis]
He suggested that I loved my birds more than him: as if I would.
Getting my work done! My God! As if it mattered.
14.
See if anything
15.
See it's not as if
16.
See if I were you
More Synonyms of if
English Easy Learning GrammarAdverbs and adverbialsWhen you want to add information about how, when, where, or to what extent somethinghas happened, you can use an adverbial. Many adverbials are members ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarConditional clausesConditional sentences consist of a main clause and a conditional clause (sometimescalled an if-clause). The conditional clause usually begins with if ... Read more
English Easy Learning GrammarReported speechReported speech or indirect speech reports something that was said, but does not usethe actual words that the speaker uttered. Lynn asked whether Pippa ... Read more
if in British English
(ɪf)
conjunction(subordinating)
1.
in case that, or on condition that
if you try hard it might work
if he were poor, would you marry him?
2.
used to introduce an indirect question. In this sense, if approaches the meaning of whether
3.
even though
an attractive if awkward girl
4.
a.
used to introduce expressions of desire, with only
if I had only known
b.
used to introduce exclamations of surprise, dismay, etc
if this doesn't top everything!
5. as if
noun
6.
an uncertainty or doubt
the big if is whether our plan will work at all
7.
a condition or stipulation
I won't have any ifs or buts
Word origin
Old English gif; related to Old Saxon ef if, Old High German iba whether, if
IF in British English
or i.f. electronics
abbreviation for
intermediate frequency
intermediate frequency in British English
noun
electronics
the frequency to which the signal carrier frequency is changed in a superheterodyne receiver and at which most of the amplification takes place
if in American English1
(ɪf)
conjunction
1.
on condition that; in case; supposing
if I come, I'll see him; if I were you, I wouldn't do that
2.
allowing that; granting that
if she was there, I didn't see her
3.
whether
used to introduce an indirect question
ask him if he knows her
noun
4.
a supposition or speculation
5.
a condition or qualification
a clause filled with ifs
Idioms:
as if
Word origin
ME < OE gif, akin to Ger ob (OHG oba, ibu, Goth ibai): ult. source uncert.
if in American English2
1. Baseball
infield
2.
intermediate frequency
Examples of 'if' in a sentence
if
I would have liked to ask him, if there was any way I could.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
A metal frame and a barred gate had been fitted into the entrance, as if for a prison cell.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
Now listen...' Jamie was rubbing his chin, as if deep in thought.
Hugo Wilcken THE EXECUTION (2002)
I would say the prime suspect, if I practiced criminal law, which I don't.
Lisa Scottoline RUNNING FROM THE LAW (2001)
In other languages
if
British English: if /ɪf/ CONJUNCTION
You use if to talk about things that might happen, or that might have happened.
You can go if you want.
If he was there, I didn't see him.
American English: if
Arabic: إِذَا
Brazilian Portuguese: se
Chinese: 如果
Croatian: ako
Czech: pokud
Danish: hvis
Dutch: als
European Spanish: si
Finnish: jos
French: si
German: wenn
Greek: εάν
Italian: se
Japanese: もしも･･･ならば
Korean: 만일 ...이면
Norwegian: hvis
Polish: jeżeli
European Portuguese: se
Romanian: dacă
Russian: если
Latin American Spanish: si
Swedish: om
Thai: ถ้า
Turkish: eğer
Ukrainian: якщо
Vietnamese: nếu
All related terms of 'if'
as if
as it would be if
Ta'if
a city in western Saudi Arabia , in the Asir Mountains at an altitude of 1879 m (6165 ft); the unofficial summer capital of Saudi Arabia. Pop: 1 281 613 (2010)
if not
You use if to suggest that something might be slightly different from what you are stating in the main part of the sentence, for example that there might be slightly more or less of a particular quality.
even if
supposing that; though
if only
You use if only with past tenses to introduce what you think is a fairly good reason for doing something, although you realize it may not be a very good one.
if poss
' If poss ' means the same as 'if possible '.
only if
never …except when
what if
You say what if at the beginning of a question when you ask about the consequences of something happening , especially something undesirable .
if anything
You use if anything , especially after a negative statement , to introduce a statement that adds to what you have just said .
if desired
If desired is used in instructions in written English to indicate that someone can choose to take the course of action mentioned .
if need be
if it is required; if the occasion demands
make as if
to behave as if
be damned if
If someone says ' I'm damned if I'm going to do it' or ' I'll be damned if I'll do it', they are emphasizing that they do not intend to do something and think it is unreasonable for anyone to expect them to do it.
if you like
You say if you like when you are making or agreeing to an offer or suggestion in a casual way .
if you must
You say ' if you must ' when you know that you cannot stop someone doing something that you think is wrong or stupid .
if you want
You say if you want when you are making or agreeing to an offer or suggestion in a casual way.
if you please
If you please is sometimes used as a very polite and formal way of attracting someone's attention or of asking them to do something.
nothing if not
You use nothing if not in front of an adjective to indicate that someone or something clearly has a lot of the particular quality mentioned .
if it kills me
If you say that you will do something if it kills you, you are emphasizing that you are determined to do it even though it is extremely difficult or painful .
if it wasn't for
If you talk about what would happen if it wasn't for someone or something, you mean that they are the only thing that is preventing it from happening .
if I were you
You say ' if I were you ' to someone when you are giving them advice .
if nothing else
You can say ' if nothing else ' to indicate that what you are mentioning is, in your opinion , the only good thing in a particular situation .
if the cap fits
the allusion or criticism seems to be appropriate to a particular person
if the shoe fits
used to tell someone that unpleasant or critical remarks which have been made about them are probably true or fair . The usual British expression is if the cap fits .
if you ask me
You can say ' if you ask me ' to emphasize that you are stating your personal opinion .
if you must know
You say ' if you must know ' when you tell someone something that you did not want them to know and you want to suggest that you think they were wrong to ask you about it.
it's not as if
You use ' It's not as if ' to introduce a statement which, if it were true, might explain something puzzling , although in fact it is not true.
if all else fails
You say if all else fails to suggest what could be done in a certain situation if all the other things you have tried are unsuccessful .
if you don't mind
People use the expression if you don't mind when they are rejecting an offer or saying that they do not want to do something, especially when they are annoyed .
if I'm not mistaken
You use expressions such as if I'm not mistaken and unless I'm very much mistaken as a polite way of emphasizing the statement you are making, especially when you are confident that it is correct .
I'll eat my hat if
I will be greatly surprised if (something happens that proves me wrong)
if need be/if needs be
If you say that you will do something, especially an extreme action, if need be , you mean that you will do if it is necessary . In British English, you can also say if needs be .
correct me if I'm wrong
You say ' correct me if I'm wrong ' to indicate that you are not entirely sure that what you are about to say is true.
I don't mind if I do
You can say ' I don't mind if I do ' as a way of accepting something that someone has offered you, especially food or drink.
if push comes to shove
If you talk about what you think will happen if push comes to shove , you are talking about what you think will happen if a situation becomes very bad or difficult .
on cue/as if on cue
If you say that something happened on cue or as if on cue , you mean that it happened just when it was expected to happen, or just at the right time.
if I had/given my druthers
You can say that you would do something if I had my druthers or given my druthers when you mean that you would do it if you were able to choose .
if the cap fits, wear it
said to suggest that someone should consider whether unpleasant or critical remarks which have been made about them are true or fair . The American expression is if the shoe fits .
as if/like one owns the place
If you say that someone does something as if they own the place or like they own the place , you are critical of them because they do it in a very arrogant way.
if it ain't broke, don't fix it
said to mean that things should only be changed if they are wrong . The word `ain't' is a form of `isn't' which is used in informal or non-standard English.
if the worst comes to the worst
You use if the worst comes to the worst to say what you might do if a situation develops in the most unfavourable way possible. The form if worst comes to worst is also used, mainly in American English.
If you can't beat them, join them.
If you can't beat them, join them means that, if someone is too strong for you to defeat , it is better to be on the same side as them.
if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys
said to mean that if an employer pays very low wages , they cannot expect to find good staff
(I'm) blessed/damned/buggered if I know
People sometimes use expressions such as I'm blessed if I know or damned if I know to emphasize the fact that they do not know something.
if necessary/when necessary/where necessary
If you say that something will happen if necessary , when necessary , or where necessary , you mean that it will happen if it is necessary, when it is necessary, or where it is necessary.
you know what I mean if you know what I mean
You can use expressions such as you know what I mean and if you know what I mean to suggest that the person listening to you understands what you are trying to say , and so you do not have to explain any more.
if worst comes to worst/if the worst comes to the worst
You use if worst comes to worst or if the worst comes to the worst to say what you might do if a situation develops in the most unfavorable way possible .
look as if butter wouldn't melt in one's mouth
to look innocent , although probably not so
someone will eat their hat if something happens
said to mean that someone does not believe that a particular thing will happen
if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen
said to mean that someone should either learn to tolerate the difficulty or unpleasantness of an activity, or stop being involved in it
All related terms of 'if'
if so
如果这(這)样(樣) rúguǒ zhèyàng
even if
即使 jíshǐ
if ever
要是有 yàoshì yǒu ⇒ If ever a man needed help, it was I. → 要是有人需要帮助的话，那就是我。 Yàoshì yǒurén xūyào bāngzhù de huà, nà jiù shì wǒ.
if not
如果不行的话(話) rúguǒ bùxíng de huà
if only
( giving reason ) 即使只是 jíshǐ zhǐshì
if anything
如果有什么(麼)不同的话(話) rúguǒ yǒu shénme bùtóng de huà
if possible
如有可能 rú yǒu kěnéng
if required
如有需要 rú yǒu xūyào
to see if
( find out if ) 查看 ... 是否 chákàn ... shìfǒu ⇒ I'll see if she's available. → 我去看看她是否有空。 Wǒ qù kànkan tā shìfǒu yǒu kòng.
if necessary
如有必要 rú yǒu bìyào
if you like
( in offers, suggestions ) 如果你愿(願)意的话(話) rúguǒ nǐ yuànyì de huà ⇒ You can stay here if you like. → 如果你愿意的话，你可以呆在这里。 Rúguǒ nǐ yuànyì de huà, nǐ kěyǐ dāi zài zhèlǐ. ( in other words ) → 换句话说 huàn jù huà shuō
I'll go if you come with me如果你和我一起的话(話)我就去 (rúguǒ nǐ hé wǒ yīqǐ de huà wǒ jiù qù)
if anyone comes in ... 如果有人来(來) ... (rúguǒ yǒurén lái ... )
if I were you如果我是你的话(話) (rúguǒ wǒ shì nǐ de huà)
if necessary如有必要 (rú yǒu bìyào)
if so如果是这(這)样(樣)的话(話) (rúguǒ shì zhèyàng de huà)
if not如果不行的话(話) (rúguǒ bùxíng de huà)
(stating facts) 即使 (jíshǐ)
she understood his meaning if not his words虽(雖)然不懂他的话(話)，她明白他的意思 (suīrán bù dǒng tā de huà, tā míngbai tā de yìsi)
(= whenever) 无(無)论(論)何时(時) (wúlùn héshí)
if we are in Hong Kong, we always go to see her我们(們)无(無)论(論)何时(時)去香港，都会(會)去看她 (wǒmen wúlùn héshí qù Xiānggǎng, dōu huì qù kàn tā)
(also even if) 即使 (jíshǐ)
I'll get this sorted if it's the last thing I do!无(無)论(論)怎样(樣)我都会(會)把这(這)事解决(決)好！ (wúlùn zěnyàng wǒ dōu huì bǎ zhè shì jiějué hǎo!)
(= whether) 是否 (shìfǒu)
I don't know if he's in我不知道他是否会(會)在 (wǒ bù zhīdào tā shìfǒu huì zài)
ask him if he can come问(問)他是否能来(來) (wèn tā shìfǒu néng lái)
(in requests) 请(請) (qǐng)
if you could sign here, please请(請)在这(這)儿(兒)签(簽)名，好吗(嗎) (qǐng zài zhèr qiānmíng, hǎo ma)
(in expressions)
if ever要是有 (yàoshì yǒu)
⇒ If ever a man needed help, it was I.要是有人需要帮助的话，那就是我。 (Yàoshì yǒurén xūyào bāngzhù de huà, nà jiù shì wǒ.)
if only (giving reason) 即使只是 (jíshǐ zhǐshì) (expressing wish) 要是 ... 就好了 (yàoshì ... jiù hǎo le)
let's invite her here, if only to find out what she's doing我们(們)邀请(請)她来(來)这(這)儿(兒)吧，即使只是问(問)问(問)她在忙些什么(麼) (wǒmen yāoqǐng tā lái zhèr ba, jíshǐ zhǐshì wènwèn tā zài máng xiē shénme)
if only we had more time!要是我们(們)再多点(點)时(時)间(間)就好了！ (yàoshì wǒmen zài duō diǎn shíjiān jiù hǎo le!)
1 (conjunction)
Definition
in the event that, or on condition that
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Synonyms
provided
assuming
given that
providing
allowing
admitting
supposing
granting
in case
presuming
on the assumption that
on condition that
as long as
2 (conjunction)
She gets very upset if I exclude her from anything.
Synonyms
when
whenever
every time
any time
3 (conjunction)
Definition
used to introduce an indirect question to which the answer is either yes or no
He asked if I had left with you, and I said no.
Synonyms
whether
4 (conjunction)
Definition
even though
It was beautiful inside, if rather unhomely.
Synonyms
though
but
yet
although
albeit
despite being
(noun)
Definition
a condition or stipulation
This business is full of ifs.
Synonyms
doubt
They were troubled and full of doubt.
condition
They had agreed to a summit subject to certain conditions.
uncertainty
There is genuine uncertainty about the party's future plans.
provision
a provision that would allow existing regulations to be reviewed
constraint
hesitation
After some hesitation, he answered her question.
vagueness
stipulation
His only stipulation is that his clients follow his advice.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of condition
Definition
a term of an agreement
They had agreed to a summit subject to certain conditions.
Synonyms
requirement,
terms,
rider,
provision,
restriction,
qualification,
limitation,
modification,
requisite,
prerequisite,
proviso,
stipulation,
rule,
demand
in the sense of hesitation
After some hesitation, he answered her question.
Synonyms
delay,
pausing,
uncertainty,
stalling,
dithering,
indecision,
hesitancy,
doubt,
vacillation,
temporizing,
shilly-shallying,
irresolution,
hemming and hawing,
dubiety,
stumbling,
faltering,
fumbling,
stammering,
stuttering
in the sense of provision
Definition
a condition incorporated in a document
a provision that would allow existing regulations to be reviewed