if if [If; if] conjunction A1 if..., if... a. [When speculating about what may happen now, in the past, and in the future] If you are tired, we will go straight home. If you are tired, we will go home directly. If you have finished reading this book, please return it to me. If he did it, he committed a crime. If he did it, he committed a crime. By doing that, he committed a crime. I'll be hanged [damned] if I obey him. (colloquial) I won't listen to him. Do you mind if I open the window?. If I open the window, you Do you mind? (Can I open the window? ) I shall tell him if he comes. If you knew how I suffered, you would pity me. If you knew how I suffered, you would pity me. If I were you, I would help him. If I had known, I wouldn't have done it. If I had known, I wouldn't have done it. If I were you, I would help him. he had followed my advice, he wouldn't be in such difficulty now. If it should rain tomorrow, I shall not [shan't, won' t] come. If it rains tomorrow, I won't come. e. If I were to die tomorrow, what would you do?. If I were to die tomorrow, what would you do? 2 a. Even if... (even though) If he be ever so rich.?.(ancient) Even if he is very rich...If I am wrong, you are not absolutely right. Even if I am wrong, you are not absolutely right. He is a good if mischievous boy. Even if he is naughty, he is still A good boy. His manner, if patronizing, was not unkind. Even if his attitude is a bit arrogant, it cannot be said to be unkind. I don't care if I go. (colloquial) I can go; I can go (for invitations) Affirmative answer) → even if, if not.b. Even if..., however... (whereas) If he was not industrious in his youth, he now works very hard. It is true that he was not industrious when he was young, but now he works very hard. 3 Whenever..., whenever (whenever) If I feel any doubt, I ask. Whenever I have doubts, I ask 4 [Omit the main clause of the conclusion and use it alone as an exclamation to express exclamation, wish, etc.] If I only knew! =If only I knew!. If I haven't lost my watch!. If only I didn't lose my watch! Why, if it isn't 't Mr. Smith!. Hey, isn't that Mr. Smith! B [Introduction to indirect questions] Is it... (whether) Ask him if it is true. Ask him if it is true. I wonder if he is in the school. I don't know if he's at school as if → aseven if Even if you do not like it, you must do it. Even if you don't like it, you have to do it if a day [an inch, a penny, etc .] a day [a penny] A lot, indeed, at least He is seventy if a day. The enemy is 2000 strong, if a man. (. Few) The enemy has at least two thousand men. He measures six feet, if an inch. ) I have indeed gone fifteen miles if any There are few (books), if any. There is little (wine), if any. There are few (books), if any. There is little (wine), if any. ) Correct errors, if any. Things are, if anything, improving. True greatness has little, if anything True greatness has little, if anything , to do with rank and power. Speaking of which, true greatness has nothing to do with status and power if anywhereif at all → at allIf it had not been for ?If not...(But for?)If it had not been for.? = Had it not been for your advice, I couldn't have done it. If it weren't for your advice, I couldn't have done it. If it were not for? If not... (But for?) If it were not for (= Were it not for) the sun, nothing could live. If necessary, nothing could live. if necessary [possible] If necessary, if possible I will do so, if necessary. I would do it if not (1) Even if not... It is highly desirable, if not essential, to draw the distinction. (2) If not... Where should I get stationery, if not at a department store ?. If not in a department store, where should I buy stationery? if only(1)→ conj. A 4(2) Even if only...We must respect him if only for his honesty [if only because he is honest]. Even if it is just for his honesty, we must respect him. I want to go if only to see his face. Just to see him, I will go if you like → likeif you please → pleaseWhat if? →what pron countable noun (pl. ~s) condition; hypothesis, if There are too many ifs in his speech. There are too many "ifs" in his speech ifs and buts reasons for delaying things [excuses] Do it now, and no ifs and buts!. Do it now, don’t look for excuses