if

Plural

ifs

Noun

Noun

×

A word that identifies a person, place, thing, or idea.

1. 1.An uncertainty, possibility, condition, doubt etc.(informal)

   • The board can't approve this project; there are too many ifs.
   • Even if they managed to strike Japan, the United States or South Korea with nuclear weapons, a big if, given that they do not have a reliable delivery system, they could not save themselves from ultimate defeat.

Conj

Conjunction

×

A word that links words, phrases, or clauses.

1. 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.

   • I'll, if I have time, do it next week.
   • I'll come only if you will do the driving.
   • If you prefer, I can come tomorrow instead.

2. 2.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.
   • She could have used my car if the battery wasn't flat.
   • I wouldn't marry you if you were the last man on earth.

3. 3.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.

4. 4.When; whenever; every time that.

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

Overall

Very common· #40

By learning goal

Everyday conversation

Common

General reading & writing

Very common

Academic

Uncommon

Literature

Uncommon