if1
/ɪf
/conjunction
1Introducing a conditional clause:
1.1On the condition or supposition that; in the event that: if you have a complaint, write to the director if you like I’ll put in a word for you...
- If you like, Ill come to Singapore with Sarah.
- If you have a complaint against a lawyer licensed in another state, contact the lawyer regulatory agency in that state for information on making a complaint.
1.2(With past tense) introducing a hypothetical situation: if you had stayed, this would never have happened...
- Perhaps if you had stayed this would have become more apparent.
- If we had finished it before we went on the tour, I think it would have been a much better record.
1.3Whenever; every time: if I go out she gets nasty...
- If we go out she nearly always ends up in hospital.
Synonyms
whenever, every time
2Despite the possibility that; no matter whether: if it takes me seven years, I shall do it...
- I'm gonna learn to dance if it takes me all night and day.
3(Often used in indirect questions) whether: he asked if we would like some coffee I wonder if she noticed...
- We were asked if we would like to sit at the bar.
- See if you can track down their owners and ask for a tour.
Synonyms
whether, whether or not
4 [with modal] Expressing a polite request: if I could just use the phone, I’ll get a taxi if you wouldn’t mind giving him a message?...
- If I could trouble you to try a little exercise, it will help to elucidate.
- If you wouldn't mind giving me your email address, I will have her write to you to answer your questions and offer experienced advice.
5Expressing an opinion: that’s a jolly long walk, if you don’t mind my saying so if you ask me, he’s in love...
- If you don't mind my saying so, this conversation is getting a little strange.
- If you ask me he's a person who doesn't have his priorities straight.
6Expressing surprise or regret: well, if it isn’t Frank!...
- Well, well, well, if it isn't a revision update.
- Nothing like a friendly reminder at the end of the week that I would be very lucky if I could just be left alone to do my work.
7With implied reservation:
7.1And perhaps not: the new leaders have little if any control...
- Many libraries have little if any control over their patrons.
7.2Used to admit something as being possible but relatively insignificant: if there was any weakness, it was naivety ‘We both saw him.’ ‘So what if you did?’...
- If there was any weakness, it was in the print-quality of the imagery.
- So what if he did - it's none of your business anyway.
7.3Despite being (used before an adjective or adverb to introduce a contrast): she was honest, if a little brutal...
- Domino is a well-paced action movie, if a little long, with an unusual feeling of surrealism behind the action.
Synonyms
although, albeit, but, even though, even if, despite being, in spite of being, yet, whilst
noun
A condition or supposition: there are so many ifs and buts in the policy...
- It said it would not cut people's working conditions: ‘no ifs, no buts, no maybes’; and so on.
- But if - if - and these are giant ifs, put them in italics because it's great uncertainty.
- There were no mights, no ifs, no buts, no doubts, no qualifications.
Synonyms
uncertainty, doubt, lack of certainty, hesitation, vagueness;
condition, stipulation, provision, proviso, constraint, prerequisite, precondition, requirement, specification, restriction, supposition, modification
Usage
If and whether are more or less interchangeable in sentences like I’ll see if he left an address and I’ll see whether he left an address, although whether is generally regarded as more formal and suitable for written use.
Phrases
if and only if
if and when
if anything
if I were you
if not
if only
if so
Origin
Old English gif, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch of and German ob.
Rhymes
IF2
abbreviation
Intermediate frequency.