if
gb/ˈɪf/ us/ˈɪf/
A2
Engels
~ 100
Betekenissen
0 betekenissen
conjunction
A2
relation
1
introduces a condition
Used to say that something will happen only when another thing happens first.
Gebruikspatroon:
if [condition], [result]
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners sometimes confuse 'if' with 'when'. Use 'if' for conditions that may or may not happen, and 'when' for events certain to happen.
Synoniemen
provided that (More formal than 'if' and often used in legal or formal contexts.)
|
on condition that (Emphasizes the conditional requirement more strongly than 'if'.)
Antoniemen
unless (Indicates the opposite conditional — something will happen except in a certain case.)
Woordcombinaties
if possible
|if necessary
|if you like
|if you want
Thema's
grammar
|logic
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Voorbeelden
- If it rains tomorrow, we will stay indoors.
- You can borrow my car if you drive carefully.
- If you need help, just ask me.
- Call me if you arrive early.
- If she studies hard, she will pass the exam.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- If it is cold, wear a coat.
- I will go if you go.
- If you are tired, rest.
- We can eat outside if it is sunny.
Zelfstandig naamwoord
B2
entity
2
a possibility or uncertainty
Something that might happen or might not happen; an uncertain thing.
Veelgemaakte fout:
Learners may not realize 'if' can be a noun referring to a situation of uncertainty.
Synoniemen
condition (Focuses on the requirement itself rather than the uncertainty.)
|
uncertainty (Highlights the lack of certainty more than the conditional aspect.)
Antoniemen
certainty (The opposite of uncertainty or doubt.)
Woordcombinaties
full of ifs and buts
|no ifs or buts
Thema's
discussion
|planning
|core_vocabulary
|communication
Voorbeelden
- The plan is full of ifs and buts.
- There are too many ifs to make a decision now.
- No ifs or buts — just do it.
Voorbeelden voor taalleerders
- The idea has many ifs.
- No ifs or buts, clean your room.
- Too many ifs make it hard to plan.
Grammatica
Lemmavorm
if
IPA
GB/ˈɪf/
US/ˈɪf/
Lettergrepen en klemtoon
if (1 lettergreep)
Stress on 1st syllable (if)
Woordvormen
Noun
- Base: if
- Plural: ifs
Woordfamilie
Forms
ifs
noun
Core family
iffy
adjective B2
Related words
Advanced or less common
if-clause
noun B2
Uitdrukkingen
if not
1/ˈɪf nˈɑt/
fixed phrase
introduces alternative if false
Used to give an alternative when the previous statement is not true.
Voorbeelden
- You should call her, if not visit her in person.
- He is clever, if not brilliant.
if so
1/ˈɪf sˈoʊ/
fixed phrase
introduces result if true
Used to say what happens if the previous statement is true.
Voorbeelden
- 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
1/wˈʌt ˈɪf/
fixed phrase
asks about a hypothetical situation
Used to ask what would happen in a possible situation.
Voorbeelden
- What if we get lost?
- What if she says no?
what if
2/wˈʌt ˈɪf/
fixed phrase
ask about a possibility
Use this to ask about a possible problem or situation.
Voorbeelden
- 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?
as if
1/ˈæz ˈɪf/
fixed phrase
In a way suggesting something unreal or imagined
In a way that makes it seem like something is true, even if it’s not.
Voorbeelden
- 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
1/ˈɪf ˈoʊnli/
fixed phrase
expressing an unreal wish
Used to say you wish something were true or had happened.
Voorbeelden
- If only I had studied harder for the test.
- If only it would stop raining.
if only
2/ˈɪf ˈoʊnli/
fixed phrase
expresses regret or wish
Used to say you wish something was true or had happened.
Voorbeelden
- If only I had studied harder, I would have passed the test.
- If only it would stop raining!