if
- 01 A1 Beginner
conj.used to say that one thing will happen only if another thing happens first.
conj.introduces a conditional clause (the protasis) upon which the main clause (the apodosis) depends.
Simple“If it rains tomorrow, we will have the party inside the house.”
In context“If the company achieves its quarterly targets, the board of directors will likely approve a significant bonus for all staff members.”
UsageIn real conditionals, the 'if' clause usually takes a present tense to refer to future possibilities.
PitfallIf I will see him, I will tell him. If I see him, I will tell him.In first conditional sentences, use the present simple after 'if' to talk about the future, not 'will'.
- 02 B1 Intermediate
conj.used to talk about something that is not true now, or is very unlikely to happen.
conj.introduces a counterfactual or hypothetical condition, typically requiring the past simple or past perfect in the subordinate clause.
Simple“If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world for a year.”
In context“If the government had acted more decisively during the initial phase of the crisis, the economic fallout might have been significantly mitigated.”
UsageOften used with 'would' in the main clause to describe the result of the imaginary condition.
PitfallIf I was you, I would go. If I were you, I would go.In formal English, use 'were' instead of 'was' after 'if' for hypothetical situations, especially with the person 'I'.
Synonyms - 03 A2 Elementary
conj.used to introduce a question or a choice between two possibilities.
conj.functions as a complementizer to introduce an indirect question or a noun clause, often following verbs of asking or doubting.
Simple“I am not sure if the shop is open on Sundays.”
In context“The manager asked the technician if the server migration could be completed without any further downtime for the clients.”
UsageCommonly follows verbs like 'ask', 'know', 'wonder', or 'see'.
Synonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
conj.used to introduce a contrast, similar to 'even though'.
conj.used to introduce a concessive clause, often to qualify a statement or admit a contrasting fact.
Simple“It was a good speech, if a little long.”
In context“The results of the study were encouraging, if somewhat inconsistent across the different age groups tested.”
- 05 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a condition or a reason to doubt something.
n.a condition, requirement, or uncertainty; frequently used in the plural or the fixed phrase 'no ifs or buts'.
Simple“There are a lot of ifs in this plan, so we need a backup.”
In context“The success of the merger is subject to several major ifs, primarily regarding regulatory approval and shareholder consensus.”
SynonymsAntonyms