What does “if” mean?
- 1
conjunctionused to say that something happens only when something else happens
If it rains, we’ll stay inside.
- 2
conjunctionused to introduce a yes/no question in reported speech; whether
She asked if I wanted coffee.
If at a glance
- Part of speech
- conjunction
- CEFR level
- A1 (beginner)
- Pronunciation
- /ɪf/ · IF
How to use “if” correctly
Don’t use “will” in the “if” part of a future condition: “If it rains tomorrow”, not “If it will rain tomorrow”.
Common phrases with “if”
- as if
- even if
- if so
- if not
Synonyms, opposites and related words
Synonyms (similar meaning)
“if” is on these word lists
Learn these words next
- and conjunctionA1used to join words or parts of a sentence
- because conjunctionA1for the reason that
- but conjunctionA1used to add something different or surprising
- or conjunctionA1used to join possibilities or choices
- than conjunctionA1used to compare two things or people
- although conjunctionB1used to introduce an idea that makes the main idea surprising
- nor conjunctionB1used after “neither” to add another negative choice
- though conjunctionB1despite the fact that