if

Meaning

1. Supposing that, assuming that, in the circumstances that; used to introduce a condition or choice.
2. In the event that a statement is true (a programming statement that acts in a similar manner).
3. Supposing that; used with past or past perfect subjunctive indicating that the condition is closed.
4. Supposing that; given that; supposing it is the case that.
5. Although; used to introduce a concession.
6. Whether; used to introduce a noun clause, an indirect question, that functions as the direct object of certain verbs.
7. Even if; even in the circumstances that.
8. Introducing a relevance conditional.

when

in case

provided that

whether

supposing

since

even if

provided

in the event that

although

supposing that

conditional

maybe

that

in case of

in the event of

suppose

if only

but

seeing

unless

perhaps

whenever

even though

though

as if

should

supposition

for example

such as

might

potential

contrary to fact

while

as long as

nevertheless

assuming

whether or not

nowise

providing that

in the even that

in the case that

granting that

in case that

presuming

uncertain possibility

condition

stipulation

and

that is why

for instance in case

cotton

cotton wool

rather than

for instance

seem

lest

in order that

herself

himself

yes

however

because

providing

if-then

suppose that

as for

in order to

whereas

guess

hypothesis

imagination

posit

theorem

theory

thought

view

by chance

at the time of

decline

Frequency

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɪf/

From Middle English if, yif, yef, from Old English ġif (“if”), from Proto-West Germanic *jabu, *jabē, from Proto-Germanic *jabai (“when, if”). Cognate with Scots gif (“if, whether”), Saterland Frisian af, of (“if, whether”), West Frisian oft (“whether”), Dutch of (“or, whether, but”), Middle Low German ef, if, af, of ("if; whether"; > German Low German of), German ob (“if, whether”), Icelandic ef (“if”).