if
Meaning
-
- Supposing that, assuming that, in the circumstances that; used to introduce a condition or choice.
- In the event that a statement is true (a programming statement that acts in a similar manner).
- Supposing that; used with past or past perfect subjunctive indicating that the condition is closed.
- Supposing that; given that; supposing it is the case that.
- Although; used to introduce a concession.
- Whether; used to introduce a noun clause, an indirect question, that functions as the direct object of certain verbs.
- Even if; even in the circumstances that.
- Introducing a relevance conditional.
Synonyms
provided that
supposing that
contrary to fact
granting that
in the case that
whether or not
uncertain possibility
for instance in case
if-then
providing that
at the time of
in case that
suppose that
that is why
in the even that
Frequency
Pronounced as (IPA)
/ɪf/
Etymology
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”).
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