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If

If is a conjunction.

If: conditions​

We often use if to introduce possible or impossible situations or conditions and their results. The situations or conditions can be real, imagined or uncertain:

  • I usually make a sandwich to take to work if I have enough time. (real)
  • If you don’t book now, you won’t get good tickets. (real)
  • They’d have got the job done quicker if they’d had more people working on it. (imagined)
  • Will you bring my glasses down if you go upstairs? (uncertain)
See also
  • Conditionals: if

If possible, if necessary​

We can sometimes leave words out after if to form fixed expressions:

  • Check the temperature of your meat with a meat thermometer if possible. (if it’s possible or if that’s possible)
  • Interest rates would have to rise if necessary to protect the pound, Mr John Smith, Shadow Chancellor, indicated yesterday on BBC TV’s Money Programme.

If so, if not​

We use so or not after if when it is obvious what we are referring to:

  • [from a job advertisement]

  • Are you looking for part-time work? Do you want to work from home? If so, read on.

  • (if you are looking for part-time work or if you want to work from home)

  • You should all have received your booklist for the course by now. If not, please email the office.

  • (if you haven’t received your booklist for the course by now)

  • I’ll see you soon, definitely at the wedding, if not before.

  • (if I don’t see you before the wedding)

Even if​

We can use even if to mean if when talking about surprising or extreme situations:

  • You’re still going to be cold even if you put on two or three jumpers.
See also
  • Even

If: reporting questions​

We use if to introduce reported yes-no questions and questions with or.

Compare

direct questionindirect question
Do you like dogs?I asked if she liked dogs.
Are you leaving now or are you staying for a bit longer?He asked if I was leaving now or staying for a bit longer.
See also
  • Conditionals
  • If or when?
  • If or whether?
  • Reported speech
  • Even if

We use only if to express a strong condition, often an order or command, to mean ‘on the condition that’. It has an opposite meaning to ‘except if’:

  • Payment will be made only if the work is completed on time.
  • Alright I’ll come but only if I can bring a friend with me.

We often separate only and if, using only in the main clause:

  • He’ll only take the job if they offer him more money.
  • We’ll only achieve our targets if everyone works together.

If and politeness​

In speaking, we often use if to introduce a polite request. If is usually followed by modal verbs will, would, can or could when it is used to be polite:

  • If you’ll just tell Julie that her next client is here. (Can you tell Julie that …)
  • If you would like to follow me. (Please follow me.)
See also
  • Conditionals
  • Politeness