In-Depth Tips from Dr English
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Replacing “if”, Omitting “if”, “if” vs “when”, “if" vs “in case” |
07 May 2024
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Replacing "if" If can be replaced by words or expressions with a similar meaning. The most common are:
Examples:
If not can be replaced with:
Example:
We can omit if with certain auxiliary and modal verbs:
Examples:
If and when are interchangeable when the statement of the conditional clause is a fact or a general issue (also known as zero conditional):
If is used for something that, according to the speaker, might happen:
When is used for something that, according to the speaker, will happen.
In case of can be used to shorten an if-clause as shown below:
While if expresses a condition (1), in case is used to express a possibility (2):
The expression just in case is used pretty much the same way:
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