if
part of speech
conjunction; noun (ifs and buts)
meaning for a pupil
1) If says what would happen when something else happens: If it rains, we stay in. tree →
2) If means whether: Ask if she can come. tree →
3) «What if» asks about something imagined: What if pigs could fly? tree →
4) «If only» shows a strong wish: If only I had a dog! tree →
5) «As if» means as though: he acts as if he is the boss. tree →
6) (casual) «As if!» means no way; «no ifs, no buts» means no excuses; «if you say so» means I don't really believe you. tree →
7) (rough) «If you touch my bike, you're dead» is a threat or a bluff, said to scare. tree →
8) (formal) The exam voice says «provided that», «in the event that», «on condition that», «should …» («Should the price rise …»), «given that», «assuming that». tree →
sense in the lessons
Interpretation: Many Torah laws begin with "if", setting out cases and what must be done in each. The rabbis study these conditions closely to work out the law. In the primary lessons: an imagined change («If I put one more apple on the table …»); a rule about who gives to whom («If a friend gives you more, you have more: add»); in science «if … then» predictions; in safety rules «If you get lost, stand still and call for help»; in casual talk «as if», «if you say so», «no ifs or buts»; in rough talk threats with «if»; in the exam voice «provided that», «in the event that», «should the quantity be doubled»
examples
- If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold. (Torah GEN.4.24, JPS 1917) tree →
- But if any harm follow, then thou shalt give life for life, (Torah EXO.21.23, JPS 1917) tree →
- But if the scall spread abroad in the skin after his cleansing, (Torah LEV.13.35, JPS 1917) tree →
- Declare, if thou hast the understanding. (Writings JOB.38.4, JPS 1917) tree →
- Declare, if thou knowest it all. (Writings JOB.38.18, JPS 1917) tree →
- If a man die, may he live again? (Writings JOB.14.14, JPS 1917) tree →
- If I put one more apple on the table, how many apples will there be? tree →
- If a friend gives you more, you have more: add. tree →
- If each bag has 5 pears, how many pears are in 4 bags? tree →
- If it rains, we will play inside. tree →
- If you heat ice, it melts. tree →
- Ask Mum if I can stay for dinner. tree →
- What if the dog runs away? tree →
- If you feel sick, tell the teacher. tree →
- If only it was Saturday! tree →
- Touch my bike and you're dead. tree →
- «I'll tidy up later.» «Yeah, if you say so.» tree →
- In the event that each container holds 5 pears, determine the number of pears contained within 4 such containers. tree →
- "But if I can't?" said Jack. tree →
note
Sets up an imagined step to work through; no clue by itself; «provided that» and «in the event that» do the same in an exam. Trap: «if» describes a change that has not really happened; work it out from the start amount. «If» clauses can come first or second: «If it rains, we stay in» = «We stay in if it rains». Say «if I were you» in careful English; «if I was» is common in speech. Threats with «if» or «and you're dead» are usually bluffs, but say no and walk away, and tell an adult if you feel unsafe.
In the corpora
- If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.
- And he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground.
- And Judah said unto his brethren: 'What profit is it if we slay our brother and conceal his blood?
- If thou wilt send our brother with us, we will go down and buy thee food;
- And as for me, if I be bereaved of my children, I am bereaved.'
Trees and pragmatics
Every meaning and example of «if» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.