if

Meaning

Conj

1. Supposing that, assuming that, in the circumstances that; used to introduce a condition that may be (or prove to be) either true or false.
2. Supposing that, assuming that, in the circumstances that; used to introduce a condition that may be (or prove to be) either true or false.
3. Supposing that; used with past or past perfect subjunctive to indicate a counterfactual or hypothetical condition.
4. (excessive, usually) Supposing that; used with past or past perfect subjunctive to indicate a counterfactual or hypothetical condition.
5. Considering the fact that; given that; introducing a condition that is known to be true.
6. When; whenever; every time that.
7. Although; used to introduce a concession; may..but.
8. (proscribed, sometimes) Whether; used to introduce a noun clause, an indirect question, that functions as the direct object of certain verbs.
9. Introducing a relevance conditional; in case.

Noun

An uncertainty, possibility, condition, doubt etc.

Synonyms

when

in case

provided that

supposing

whether

since

as

even if

in the event that

provided

maybe

although

or

supposing that

conditional

seeing

if only

suppose

that

in case of

unless

whenever

like

in the event of

perhaps

but

such as

while

as long as

as if

should

for example

even though

potential

assuming

though

supposition

might

contrary to fact

nevertheless

granting that

in the case that

whether or not

uncertain possibility

for instance in case

if-then

an

and

because

by chance

Translations

si

si

se

wenn

als

falls

indien

se

αν

ob

eğer

εάν

si

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɪf/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: if

Inherited from Old English: ġif

Cognate with Scots: gif

Cognate with Saterland Frisian: af

Cognate with Western Frisian: oft

Cognate with Dutch: of

Cognate with Middle Low German: ef

Cognate with German: ob

Cognate with Icelandic: ef

In summary

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”).

Sentences

But , if you can , try to make your own decisions .

" I can clean up those glasses in the window , if you want ," said the boy .

Is that okay if A is compensated ?

" If good things are coming , they will be a pleasant surprise ," said the seer .

If that's her name .

I was wondering if you could tell me a bit more about what it's like to live and work there .