if

«if» in Mova's school dictionary: If says what would happen when something else happens: If… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

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

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 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 prices rise and pay doesn't, a person is really getting poorer each year.
• Buy now pay later splits a purchase into instalments; it is still borrowing, with charges if a payment is late.
• Inflation means prices rise over time, so the same pound buys less; if pay rises more slowly, families are worse off.
• A sale lowers prices; a bargain is only a bargain if you would have bought the thing anyway.
• Renters sign a tenancy and pay a deposit that comes back if the home is left in good condition.

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «if» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.