Word
if
Definitions
01condition or possibility
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.
Español:si
“If it rains tomorrow, we will have the party inside the house.”
“If the company achieves its quarterly targets, the board of directors will likely approve a significant bonus for all staff members.”
Usage
In real conditionals, the 'if' clause usually takes a present tense to refer to future possibilities.
Pitfall
If 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'.
Synonyms
Antonyms
02imaginary situations
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.
Español:si
“If I won the lottery, I would travel around the world for a year.”
“If the government had acted more decisively during the initial phase of the crisis, the economic fallout might have been significantly mitigated.”
Usage
Often used with 'would' in the main clause to describe the result of the imaginary condition.
Pitfall
If 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
03whether
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.
Español:si
“I am not sure if the shop is open on Sundays.”
“The manager asked the technician if the server migration could be completed without any further downtime for the clients.”
Usage
Commonly follows verbs like 'ask', 'know', 'wonder', or 'see'.
Synonyms
04although
B2 · Upper Intermediate Formal
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.
“It was a good speech, if a little long.”
“The results of the study were encouraging, if somewhat inconsistent across the different age groups tested.”
05uncertainty
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
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'.
“There are a lot of ifs in this plan, so we need a backup.”
“The success of the merger is subject to several major ifs, primarily regarding regulatory approval and shareholder consensus.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related words
Grammar
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.A1 MoversIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.2.0–3.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 1.0–1.50–23TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.120–224
- Frequency
- Very common
- Level
- A1 · Beginner
- Updated
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Traducciones: Kaikki.org (Wiktionary), CC BY-SA 4.0