if
Used to say that something will happen only when another thing happens first.
Used to introduce a condition or situation that must be met for something else to happen.
Something that might happen or might not happen; an uncertain thing.
A possibility, condition, or uncertainty, often used in the plural form 'ifs'.
- Base: if
- Plural: ifs
if not
1introduces alternative if false
Used to give an alternative when the previous statement is not true.
- You should call her, if not visit her in person.
- He is clever, if not brilliant.
if so
1introduces result if true
Used to say what happens if the previous statement is true.
- Is this your book? If so, I will give it to you.
- He might be late. If so, we will start without him.
what if
1asks about a hypothetical situation
Used to ask what would happen in a possible situation.
- What if we get lost?
- What if she says no?
what if
2ask about a possibility
Use this to ask about a possible problem or situation.
- What if we miss the last train?
- What if nobody agrees with the plan?
- I know it sounds unlikely, but what if she’s right?
- What if the shop is closed?
- What if I make a mistake during the presentation?
as if
1In a way suggesting something unreal or imagined
In a way that makes it seem like something is true, even if it’s not.
- She talks as if she knows everything.
- He looks as if he hasn’t slept in days.
- He looked at me as if I were crazy.
- She talks to him as if he were a child.
if only
1expressing an unreal wish
Used to say you wish something were true or had happened.
- If only I had studied harder for the test.
- If only it would stop raining.
if only
2expresses regret or wish
Used to say you wish something was true or had happened.
- If only I had studied harder, I would have passed the test.
- If only it would stop raining!