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Other points

if … happen to​

We can suggest that something is unlikely, or not particularly probable, by using … happen to … after if.

  • If I happen to run into Daniel, I’ll tell him to call you.
  • If you happen to pass a supermarket, perhaps you could pick up some eggs.

Should can be used after if in British English with a similar meaning, but this is now unusual.

  • If I should run into Daniel …

if … was/were to​

This is another way of talking about unreal or imaginary future events.

  • If the boss was/were to come in now, we’d be in real trouble. (= If the boss came …)
  • What would we do if I was/were to lose my job?

It can be used to make a suggestion sound less direct, and so more polite.

  • If you were to move your chair a bit, we could all sit down.

This structure is not normally used with verbs like be or know, which refer to continuing situations.

  • If I knew her name … (not If I were to know her name …)
note

For the difference between was and were after if, (see here).

if it was/were not for​

This structure is used to say that one event or situation changes everything.

  • If it wasn’t/weren’t for his wife’s money he’d never be a director. (= Without his wife’s money, …)
  • If it wasn’t/weren’t for the children, we could go skiing next week.

To talk about the past we use If it had not been for.

  • If it hadn’t been for your help, I don’t know what I’d have done.

But for can be used to mean ‘if it were not for’ or ‘if it had not been for’.

  • But for your help, I don’t know what I’d have done.

Leaving out if: conversational – You want to get in, you pay.​

If is sometimes left out at the beginning of a sentence in a conversational style, especially when the speaker is making conditions or threats.

  • You want to get in, you pay like everybody else. (= If you want …)
  • You touch me again, I’ll kick your teeth in.

Leaving out if: formal inversion structures – Had I realised …​

In formal and literary styles, if can be dropped and an auxiliary verb put before the subject. This happens mostly with were, had and should.

  • Were she my daughter, … (= If she were my daughter …)
  • Had I realised what you intended, … (= If I had realised …)
  • Should you change your mind, … (= If you should change …)

Negatives are not contracted.

  • Had we not missed the plane, we would all have been killed in the crash. (not Hadn’t we missed …)
note

For other uses of inverted word order, (see here).

Leaving out words after if​

We sometimes leave out subject + be after if. Note the common fixed expressions if necessary, if any, if anything, if ever, if in doubt.

  • I’ll work late tonight if necessary. (= … if it is necessary)
  • There is little if any good evidence for flying saucers.
  • I’m not angry. If anything, I feel a little surprised.
  • He seldom if ever travels abroad.
  • If in doubt, ask for help. (= If you are in doubt …)
  • If about to go on a long journey, try to have a good night’s sleep.
note

For more details of ellipsis (structures with words left out), (see here).

if so and if not​

After if, we can use so and not instead of repeating a whole clause.

  • Are you free? If so, let’s go out for a meal. (= … If you are free …)
  • I might see you tomorrow. If not, then it’ll be Saturday. (= … If I don’t see you tomorrow …)

Extra negative: I wonder if we shouldn’t …​

An extra not is sometimes put into if-clauses after expressions suggesting doubt or uncertainty.

  • I wonder if we shouldn’t ask the doctor to look at Emily. (= I wonder if we should ask …)
  • I wouldn’t be surprised if she didn’t get married soon. (= … if she got married soon.)

if … then​

We sometimes construct sentences with if … then to emphasise that one thing depends on another.

  • If she can’t come to us, then we’ll have to go and see her.

if meaning ‘even if’​

We can use if to mean ‘even if’ (see here).

  • I’ll finish this job if it takes all night.
  • I wouldn’t marry you if you were the last man in the world.

Admitting facts with if​

An if-clause can be used to admit a fact when giving a reason for it.

  • If I’m a bit sleepy, it’s because I was up all night.

if meaning ‘I’m saying this in case’​

If-clauses are quite often used to explain the purpose of a remark – to suggest ‘I’m saying this in case …’

  • There’s some steak in the fridge if you’re hungry.
  • If you want to go home, Anne’s got your car keys.

if meaning ‘although’​

In a formal style, if can be used with a similar meaning to although. This is common in the structure if + adjective (with no verb). If is not as definite as although; it can suggest that what is being talked about is a matter of opinion, or not very important.

  • His style, if simple, is pleasant to read.
  • The profits, if a little lower than last year’s, are still extremely healthy.

The same kind of idea can be expressed with may … but.

  • His style may be simple, but it is pleasant to read.