if

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Supposing that, assuming that, in the circumstances that

   Supposing that, assuming that, in the circumstances that; used to introduce a condition that may be (or prove to be) either true or false.

   • If crossing the road, make sure you look both ways.
   • If I give you the money would/will you buy it for me?
   • If you prefer, I can come tomorrow instead.
2. 2

   Supposing that

   Supposing that; used with past or past perfect subjunctive to indicate a counterfactual or hypothetical condition.

   • If she hadn't told me, I wouldn't know.
   • "You would be healthier if you would give up smoking" "Well, if I were rich, I'd go to one of those hypnosis therapies to quit".
   • She could have used my car if the battery wasn't flat.
3. 3

   Considering the fact that

   Considering the fact that; given that; introducing a condition that is known to be true.

   • The drain's blocked — and if the drain's blocked, the water won't flow.
   • O what of Gods then boots it to be borne, / If old Aveugles ſonnes ſo euill heare?
4. ›+ 12 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      When

      When; whenever; every time that.

      • If you heat water to 100° C, it boils.
      • If it rains, it pours.
   2. 5

      Although

      Although; used to introduce a concession; may..but.

      • He was a great friend, if a little stingy at the bar.
      • She won her team's admiration, if not the award, for her performance.
      • Both Spear & Davis were indicted in the witchhunt surrounding the sensational (if nonexistent) "Revere sex ring."
   3. 6

      Whether

      Whether; used to introduce a noun clause, an indirect question, that functions as the direct object of certain verbs.

      • I don't know if I want to go or not.
      • Quoth Matthew, “ […] / She doubts if two and two make four, / […] ”
      • It is doubtful if the Victorian Londoner needed any warning, for the artful mobsmen, toolers, whizzers and dippers, together with their stickman accomplices, were everywhere in the crowds, in the underground, on railway trains […]
   4. 7

      Introducing a relevance conditional

      Introducing a relevance conditional; in case.

      • I have leftover cake if you want some.
      • If you want to go home, I have the car keys.
   5. 8

      While

      While; used to introduce a contrast.

      • If his Russian was music, his English was murder.
      • If the outcome of the land war on the Eastern Front is usually seen as decisive, historical views on the importance of the air war are mixed.
      • If the Russians out-produced the Japanese in individual units, the Japanese out-produced the USSR in terms of technological quality.
   6. 9

      An uncertainty, possibility, condition, doubt etc.

      • The board can't approve this project; there are too many ifs.
      • Well might Bergman add, (in his Sciographia,), “if the compariſon that has been made, &c. be juſt.” The preſent writer makes no ifs about the matter, and has ſuperadded a little inaccuracy of his own, […]
   7. 10

      Initialism of interactive fiction.

      • The “Zarfian Cruelty Scale” rates games as Merciful, Polite, Tough, Nasty, or Cruel. The scale describes how works of IF become unwinnable, especially how and when the interactor (here a player, and one trying to win) learns this.
   8. 11

      Initialism of impact factor.

   9. 12

      Initialism of intermediate filament.

   10. 13

       Initialism of intermediate frequency.

   11. 14

       Initialism of intermittent fasting.

   12. 15

       Initialism of immunofluorescence.

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