🌧️ Condition word 🗣️ Whether (in questions) ❓ A possible condition

if

∞ 1.0

To introduce a question asking whether something is true or happened

subordinating conjunction
/ɪf/

: si

Just tell me if you're there.
ask if
know if
find out if

And she said, ask them if they'll stand with us.

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Examples

Let me see if I can answer it.

Adam Savage’s Tested
Can you tell me if this is the correct address?
So he asked me if I would hold his hand.

Danny Jones
Well, how do you know if you are happy?
What is the point if we are always here?
I wonder if I know what you mean.

Double Indemnity (1944)
There is a button to click if you are pregnant.

Babes (2024)
In this study, we attempt to investigate if such a difference exists.

Academic text (2011)
You know, I'm not really sure if I'm into that.

#No_Filter (2022)
Hey, I was wondering if I could borrow some fishing gear?

Blood Hook (1987)

Synonyms

whether

vsif

∞ 1.0

To show two possible choices, often yes or no

is used to introduce indirect yes or no questions in reported speech

Idioms

as if

∞ 2.1

In a way that makes something seem true though it may not be

if not

344 2.9

Saying something may be even more true than first said

if only

31 3.0

To wish the past had been different because you regret it

nothing if not

Formal

19 7.9

Showing a particular quality very strongly

if you say so

Informal

15 7.7

Accept what someone says while showing doubt or little interest

if need be

11 3.9

When it is necessary to do something

if it's all the same

4 6.5

When no one likes one choice more than another

as if there were no tomorrow

Informal

1 8.2

Act with great energy and not worry about the future

big if true

Texting

9.2

Something that would be very important if it is true

catch me if you can

Informal

7.0

Challenge someone to try to reach or pass you

damned if one does and damned if one doesn't

NSFW

9.9

A situation where any choice leads to trouble or criticism

doomed if you do, doomed if you don't

Informal

9.3

Any choice you make leads to bad results

to look as if she had been dragged through a hedge backwards

9.9

Seem very untidy and messy

if I'm lying, I'm dying

Informal

9.9

To say firmly that what you say is true

if it bleeds, it leads

Literature

9.4

News that is violent or shocking gets more attention and appears first

if it had teeth

9.9

Very sharp or harsh in a way that would hurt someone if it could

if looks could kill

Informal

8.9

A very angry stare that seems like it could hurt someone

if my aunt had balls, she'd be my uncle

Offensive

9.9

A phrase people say to show talking about impossible what-ifs is pointless

if the shoe fits, wear it

Informal

8.7

Accept a criticism if it applies to you

if these walls could talk

Informal

9.1

An idea that a place could tell stories from its past

if you know, you know

Slang

9.9

Only people with the same knowledge or experience understand this

I'll be damned if

NSFW

9.9

A strong way to say you refuse or do not believe something

wouldn't shout if a shark bit him

9.9

A person who is very calm and not easily upset, even in a dangerous situation

Compounds

Catch Me If You Can

1 4.1

A 2002 American film by Steven Spielberg starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks

Surface Forms

if main

Etymology

If used to mean 'whether' also comes from Old English gif, where people used it to introduce a yes/no idea. That's why if can introduce an indirect question, meaning 'whether'.