[Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/if.html) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [dictionaries](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/) / [The school dictionary](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/) / if [← I](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/I/) # if «if» in Mova's school dictionary: **If says what would happen when something else happens: If…** — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it. ### part of speech conjunction; noun (ifs and buts) ### meaning for a pupil 1) If says what would happen when something else happens: If it rains, we stay in. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#m1) 2) If means whether: Ask if she can come. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#m2) 3) «What if» asks about something imagined: What if pigs could fly? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#m3) 4) «If only» shows a strong wish: If only I had a dog! [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#m4) 5) «As if» means as though: he acts as if he is the boss. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#m5) 6) (casual) «As if!» means no way; «no ifs, no buts» means no excuses; «if you say so» means I don't really believe you. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#m6) 7) (rough) «If you touch my bike, you're dead» is a threat or a bluff, said to scare. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#m7) 8) (formal) The exam voice says «provided that», «in the event that», «on condition that», «should …» («Should the price rise …»), «given that», «assuming that». [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#m8) ### sense in the lessons an imagined change («If I put one more apple on the table …»); a rule about who gives to whom («If a friend gives you more, you have more: add»); in science «if … then» predictions; in safety rules «If you get lost, stand still and call for help»; in casual talk «as if», «if you say so», «no ifs or buts»; in rough talk threats with «if»; in the exam voice «provided that», «in the event that», «should the quantity be doubled» ### examples - If I put one more apple on the table, how many apples will there be? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x1) - If a friend gives you more, you have more: add. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x2) - If each bag has 5 pears, how many pears are in 4 bags? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x3) - If it rains, we will play inside. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x4) - If you heat ice, it melts. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x5) - Ask Mum if I can stay for dinner. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x6) - What if the dog runs away? [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x7) - If you feel sick, tell the teacher. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x8) - If only it was Saturday! [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x9) - Touch my bike and you're dead. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x10) - «I'll tidy up later.» «Yeah, if you say so.» [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x11) - In the event that each container holds 5 pears, determine the number of pears contained within 4 such containers. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x12) - "But if I can't?" said Jack. [tree →](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/#x13) ### note Sets up an imagined step to work through; no clue by itself; «provided that» and «in the event that» do the same in an exam. Trap: «if» describes a change that has not really happened; work it out from the start amount. «If» clauses can come first or second: «If it rains, we stay in» = «We stay in if it rains». Say «if I were you» in careful English; «if I was» is common in speech. Threats with «if» or «and you're dead» are usually bluffs, but say no and walk away, and tell an adult if you feel unsafe. ### In the corpora - [If prices rise and pay doesn't, a person is really getting poorer each year.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/3-finding-a-job-and-getting-on/13/) - [Buy now pay later splits a purchase into instalments; it is still borrowing, with charges if a payment is late.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/8-borrowing-and-debt/17/) - [Inflation means prices rise over time, so the same pound buys less; if pay rises more slowly, families are worse off.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/9-when-money-is-tight/11/) - [A sale lowers prices; a bargain is only a bargain if you would have bought the thing anyway.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/9-when-money-is-tight/13/) - [Renters sign a tenancy and pay a deposit that comes back if the home is left in good condition.](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/school/adult-life/10-moving-house-and-renting-a-home/3/) ### Trees and pragmatics [Every meaning and example of «if» parsed by Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/I/if/), each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.