if
32 ENTRIES FOUND:
- if (conjunction)
- if (noun)
- what–if (noun)
- anything (pronoun)
- as (conjunction)
- ask (verb)
- broke (adjective)
- cap (noun)
- care (verb)
- damn (verb)
- even (adverb)
- ever (adverb)
- fit (verb)
- fix (verb)
- for (preposition)
- good (adjective)
- join (verb)
- know (verb)
- like (verb)
- must (verb)
- need (noun)
- only (adverb)
- please (verb)
- rarely (adverb)
- say (verb)
- see (verb)
- seldom (adverb)
- shoe (noun)
- so (pronoun)
- what (pronoun)
- worse (noun)
- worst (noun)
Britannica Dictionary definition of IF
1
— used to talk about the result or effect of something that may happen or be true
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If it rains, (then) we won't go to the park.
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If he actually did commit the crime, he deserves to be punished.
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If you believe that, you'll believe anything!
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Come to the party if you can.
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If you really want to know, you should ask.
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What will happen if I fail the test?
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You should study. If not, you won't pass the test. = If you don't (study), you won't pass the test.
-
Please arrive early if possible. = Please arrive early if it is possible.
-
I'll do the work myself if necessary. = I'll do the work myself if it is necessary.
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If and when he comes, you can ask him. = When and if he comes, you can ask him.
2
— used to discuss the imaginary result or effect of something that did not happen or that is or was not true
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If you had studied, you would have passed the test.
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The situation would be funny if it weren't so tragic. = (informal) The situation would be funny if it wasn't so tragic.
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The harvest would have been good if it had rained.
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The news would be interesting if (it were) true, but it's not true.
3
— used to say that something must happen before another thing can happen
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He said he'll come to the party if she comes too. = (more strongly) He said he'll come to the party only if she comes too. = (most strongly) He says he'll come to the party if and only if she comes too.
4
— used to indicate a result that always occurs when something happens
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He gets angry if [=when] you disagree with him.
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The engine stalls if you let it get too hot.
5
:
even though
:
although
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It was an interesting if unbelievable story.
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Her actions were understandable, if not forgivable.
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He had to perform an annoying, if necessary, task.
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a fair, if tough, boss
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The weather was good, if not great.
6
— used to introduce a statement or question about something that is not certain
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I'll see if [=whether] I can come.
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Do you know if he'll come to the party?
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I wonder if it's true (or not).
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Frankly, I doubt if he'll pass the exams.
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She asked if the mail had come.
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We should determine/decide if it is safe to go swimming.
7
a
— used to make a polite request or suggestion
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Would you mind if I sat here? [=may I sit here?]
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If you will/would (be good enough to) follow me, ladies and gentlemen, I'll take you to your seats.
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If I could make a suggestion, why don't we sit closer to the front of the theater?
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I'd like to stay a little longer, if you don't mind. = I'd like to stay a little longer, if it's/that's all right with you.
b
— used to state an opinion in a polite way
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You're looking particularly lovely today, if I may say so.
8
— used in statements that describe feelings (such as regret) about a possible situation
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I'm sorry if you think I insulted you.
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I'd be sorry if you thought I had insulted you.
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I don't care if we're late.
9
— used in statements and questions that express doubt
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I met Brenda last week—if that is/was in fact her real name.
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If you're so smart, why aren't you rich?
10
— used to introduce an even stronger alternative to what has just been said
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These changes will have little if any impact on the problem.
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Few if any of the town's original settlers are left.
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Rarely, if ever, does that happen.
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His efforts have helped to save thousands, if not millions, of lives.
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My car is as fast as yours if not (even) faster.
11
— used to express surprise about meeting someone when it is not expected
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So I went to the game and who should I see there if not [=but] my old friend Tom!
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Well, if it isn't my old friend Tom!
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So I went to the game and who did I see there if it wasn't my old friend Tom!
12
— used to emphasize the truth of a statement
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The idea is true if any idea has ever been! [=the idea is certainly true]
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“He claims that he's never met her.” “Well, if that isn't the biggest load of nonsense I've ever heard!” [=that is a lot of nonsense; that is completely untrue]
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I'll get my revenge if it's the last thing I do! [=I am determined to get my revenge]
as if
even if
if anything
— used to make a statement that strongly disagrees or contrasts with a preceding statement
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We don't see each other too often—if anything we don't see each other often enough!
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The economy has not improved. It has gotten worse, if anything.
if it comes to that
if I were you
— used when giving advice to people about how they should behave
-
I'd study more if I were you. [=I think you should study more]
if not for
:
in the absence of (something or someone)
:
without
— often used in the phrases if it were not for and if it had not been for
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If not for modern medicine, fewer babies would survive.
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If not for him, I wouldn't be where I am today.
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If it were not for your donations, many more children would go hungry.
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If it hadn't been for him, I wouldn't be where I am today.
if nothing else
:
at least
— used to stress that an approving statement is true even though a stronger statement might not be
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If nothing else, he's polite!
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The food was hot, if nothing else. [=the food may not have been very good, but at least it was hot]
if only
— used to talk about something that you want to happen or be true
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If only she loved me in return!
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If only it would stop raining.
if you ask me
— used in statements that express an opinion
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If you ask me [=in my opinion], he's a liar.
if you must
what if
2
if
/ˈɪf/
noun
plural
ifs
2
if
/ˈɪf/
noun
plural
ifs
Britannica Dictionary definition of IF
[count]
:
something that is not certain
:
something that could either happen or not happen
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There are too many ifs in this proposal.
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They could win if everyone plays his best, but that's a big if. [=it is not likely that everyone will play his best]
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(US) She's the most qualified candidate, and there are no ifs, ands, or buts about it! = (Brit) She's the most qualified candidate, and there are no ifs and buts about it! [=it is certain that she is the most qualified candidate]
