In-Depth Tips from Dr English
Dr English is the resident expert in language and communication training at Workplace English Training E-Platform (WETE). The informative and often in-depth articles below will help more advanced learners to understand and improve various aspects of their English, especially the English they need for work. You can read Dr English's tips on your PC, laptop or mobile device. These articles are only available for members of WETE. If you would like to subscribe and receive email notifications of future postings, please subscribe by clicking the Newsletter link above.
Replacing “if”, Omitting “if”, “if” vs “when”, “if" vs “in case” |
02 Mar 2021
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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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