Alternatives to IF, 11th February 2019
IF,
EVEN IF, ONLY IF, AS LONG AS, PROVIDED, SUPPOSING, UNLESS, BUT FOR,
IF NECESSARY, IF SO, IN CASE etc.
IF
and WHEN
When
can replace if
in zero conditionals:
If
you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
When you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
When you heat water to 100 degrees Celsius, it boils.
In
the other types of conditionals, we cannot use when
instead of if.
EVEN
IF
Even
if
emphasises that something will happen, would happen or would have
happened whatever the condition:
Even
if we leave right now,
we still won't catch the train.
I wouldn't go into the water even if I could swim.
Even if we had booked our flight earlier, it wouldn't have been cheaper.
I wouldn't go into the water even if I could swim.
Even if we had booked our flight earlier, it wouldn't have been cheaper.
ONLY
IF
Only
if
makes the condition more restrictive:
Acetaminophen
is dangerous to children only
if
dosage is too high.
If
the if-clause
is first, the subject and the auxiliary in the main clause are
inverted:
Only
if
you like classical music is
it
worth coming tonight.
SO/AS
LONG AS, PROVIDING/PROVIDED (THAT)
So/As
long as
and providing/provided
(that)
can be used instead of if
to express a condition. Note that providing/provided
(that)
is a bit formal:
You
can stay here as
long as
you keep quiet.
Provided/Providing (that) the bills are paid, tenants will not be evicted.
Provided/Providing (that) the bills are paid, tenants will not be evicted.
SUPPOSE/SUPPOSING,
WHAT IF
Suppose/supposing
and what
if
can replace if,
mainly in everyday conversation, and are often used without a main
clause:
Suppose/supposing
you won the lottery, what would you do?
Suppose/supposing you can't find a job?
What if you are not accepted to university? What will you do then?
Suppose/supposing you can't find a job?
What if you are not accepted to university? What will you do then?
UNLESS
Unless
is followed by an affirmative verb to express "if ... not":
My
leg's broken. I can't stand up unless
you help me.
(I can't stand up if
you don't help me.)
IF
IT WEREN'T FOR / IF IT HADN'T BEEN FOR, BUT FOR
These
expressions mean "without". They are used in second and
third conditionals and are usually followed by a noun phrase:
If
it weren't for Miguel,
we wouldn't know what to do now.
(Without Miguel...)
If it hadn't been for your foolishness, we wouldn't have got lost. (If you hadn't been such a fool...)
But for your help, I would have been in big trouble. (Without your help... / If you hadn't helped me...)
If it hadn't been for your foolishness, we wouldn't have got lost. (If you hadn't been such a fool...)
But for your help, I would have been in big trouble. (Without your help... / If you hadn't helped me...)
IF
IN DOUBT, IF POSSIBLE, IF NECESSARY etc.
We
can make the if-clause
shorter by omitting the subject and the verb be:
If
(you are) in doubt,
consult a dictionary.
In
certain idiomatic expressions, the subject and be
are normally omitted:
If
necessary,
you can call Jake at home.
I'd like a seat by the window if possible.
I'd like a seat by the window if possible.
IF
SO, IF NOT
If
so
and if
not
can stand for an if-clause
which is understood from the context:
"According
to the weather forecast, it might rain tomorrow." "If
so,
we'll go hiking another day."
I hope Peter gets here soon. If not, we'll have to start without him.
I hope Peter gets here soon. If not, we'll have to start without him.
IN
CASE and IF
An
in
case-clause
gives a reason while an if-clause
describes a condition:
I'll
buy a sandwich in
case I get hungry.
(I'll buy a sandwich because I may get hungry later.)
I'll buy a sandwich if I get hungry. (I'll buy a sandwich when I get hungry.)
I'll buy a sandwich if I get hungry. (I'll buy a sandwich when I get hungry.)
We
can use should
after in
case:
Take
an umbrella in
case it should rain.
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