if1 /ɪf/ ●●● S1 W1 conjunction 1 IFused when talking about something that might happen or be true, or might have happened 假若,要是,如果 We’ll stay at home if it rains. 如果下雨,我们就待在家里。
If you need money, I can lend you some. 如果你需要钱,我能借给你一些。
If I didn’t apologize, I’d feel guilty. 如果我不道歉,我会感到内疚。
If you had worked harder, you would have passed your exams. 要是你再努力一点,就通过考试了。
What would happen to your family if you were to die in an accident? 要是你在意外事故中身亡,你的家人会怎么样呢?
If Dad were here, he would know what to do. 如果爸爸在这儿,他会知道怎么做的。
Taste the soup and add salt and pepper if necessary. 尝一下汤,需要的话加一点盐和胡椒粉。
I want to get back by five o’clock if possible. 如果可能的话,我想5点之前回来。
I think I can fix it tomorrow. If not, you’ll have to wait till Friday. 我想明天我能修好它,如果不行,你只好等到周五了。
Is the book available, and if so, where? 有没有这本书? 如果有的话,在哪儿?
The missiles can be fired only if the operator types in a six-digit code. 只有在操作员输入一组六位数密码后,导弹才能发射。
We’ll face that problem if and when it comes along (=if it happens or when it happens). 如果这一问题真的发生了,我们就要面对它。
If by any chance you can’t manage dinner tonight, perhaps we can at least have a drink together. 万一你今晚不能来吃饭,或许我们至少可以一起喝一杯。
2 IFused to mention a fact, situation, or event that someone asks about, or is not certain about 是否 He stopped to ask me if I was all right. 他停下来问我是否身体不适。
I don’t know if what I am saying makes any sense. 我不知道我说的话是否有道理。
I doubt if anyone will remember me. 我怀疑是否会有人记得我。
I’m not sure if this is the right road or not. 我不确定这条路对不对。
3 IFused to mention a type of event or situation when talking about what happens on occasions of that type 当,每次 If I go to bed late, I feel dreadful in the morning. 我要是睡晚了,早上起来就会感觉非常糟。
Plastic will melt if it gets too hot. 塑料太热会融化。
4 used when saying what someone’s feelings are about a possible situation 〔用于表示某人对某一可能情况的感受〕 You don’t seem to care if I’m tired. 你好像不在意我是不是累了。
I’m sorry if I upset you. 抱歉让你不高兴了。
It would be nice if we could spend more time together. 如果我们能多些时间在一起有多好。
5 spoken used when making a polite request 〔用于礼貌地请求〕 I wonder if you could help me. 不知道你能否帮我个忙。
I’d be grateful if you would send me further details. 如能寄来详细资料,我将不胜感激。
Would you mind if I open a window? 我开扇窗可以吗?
If you would just wait for a moment, I’ll try to find your papers. 请稍等,我会尽力找到你的文件。
6 used when you are adding that something may be even more, less, better, worse etc than you have just said 即使;纵然;尽管 Brian rarely, if ever, goes to bed before 3 am. 布赖恩难得在凌晨3点钟之前睡觉。
Their policies have changed little, if at all, since the last election. 自从上次选举以后,他们的政策纵使有改变也是微乎其微。
Her needs are just as important as yours, if not more so. 她的需求即使不比你的更重要,也至少和你的一样重要。
The snow was now two feet deep, making it difficult, if not impossible, to get the car out. 现在雪已有两英尺深,就算有可能,把车弄出来也是很困难的。
7 even if IFused to emphasize that, although something may happen or may be true, it will not change a situation 即使;纵然 I wouldn’t tell you even if I knew. 即使我知道也不会告诉你。
Even if she survives, she’ll never fully recover. 即使她挺过来,也不可能完全康复。
even if• In such a revolution, even if it is bloodless, complete justice can never be attained.• He later said he had been prepared to go ahead with the attack even if it led to war.• It is still rationalized by an elaborate and traditional, even if meretricious, theory of consumer demand.• Scars Of Sweet Paradise is worth reading as a slice of cultural history, even if one has no interest in Joplin.• Athletes are a mirror of society, even if sometimes their images are blown out of proportion.• But even if that is the case, you might be well ahead by taking the loan.• Can educators regulate the contents of school-sponsored publications or plays even if they do not cause disruption?
8 if anything used when adding a remark that changes what you have just said or makes it stronger 如果要说的话;其实 It’s warm enough here in London. A little too warm, if anything. 伦敦这边够暖和,其实是有点太暖和了。
if anything• But his father said, not a bit; hardened if anything.• In this case you will only be responsible for the balance, if anything.• But what, if anything, can they do with all this information?• That percentage had, if anything, dropped by 2015.• I'd wager that, if anything, people's tastes are getting more diverse these days than they used to be.• No-one ever heard what, if anything, she told them; but the hives grew amazingly heavy.• Truth was, I more than once looked back over my shoulder to see if anything was following me.• He asked if anything was the matter.
9 spoken used during a conversation when you are trying to make a suggestion, change the subject, or interrupt someone else 〔用于谈话时想提出建议、变换话题或插话〕 If I might just make a suggestion, I think that the matter could be easily settled with a little practical demonstration. 我能否提个建议,我认为做点实际示范就能轻松解决问题。
If I could just take one example to illustrate this. 我能否举一个例子来说明这一点。
10 if I were you spokenADVISE used when giving advice and telling someone what you think they should do 如果我是你〔用于给某人忠告〕 I wouldn’t worry about it if I were you. 我要是你的话,就不会为此担心。
if I were you• Shit, she said, I would have liked some one doing that if I were him.• I wouldn't do that if I were you.• But I shouldn't bother if I were you.• But I wouldn't put any money on it, if I were you.• I would go, if I were you.• I would not impose thusly on a stepson if I were you.• Meanwhile, I'd get ready for a little visit from the police if I were you.• Well if I were you I'd get in touch with me if anything turned up.• But if I were you I'd give him his wife back and find yourself some one more suitable.• Here's your money -- if I were you I'd put it in the bank right now.• If I were you, I'd sell that car. 11 if only a) used to express a strong wish, especially when you know that what you want cannot happen 但愿,要是…就好了〔表示强烈愿望,尤用于知道所想的事不能发生时〕 If only he had talked to her sooner! 他要是早点和她谈谈就好了!
If only I weren’t so tired! 我要是没这么累该多好!
b) used to give a reason for something, although you think it is not a good one 要是,只要〔用于为某事给出原因,即使不充分〕 Media studies is regarded as a more exciting subject, if only because it’s new. 媒体研究被视为一门更能激起人们兴趣的学科,仅仅因为它是个新兴学科。
if only• Chemicals If used strictly according to recommendations, chemical treatments have their place, if only as a last resort for serious threats.• He may have survived if only he could have found it.• Oh, if only he were different!• If only I could be 15 again!• Oh ma'am if only I had shown myself strong in the face of temptation!• She was certain that if only they could get away, he'd go superbly over this country.• Women needed men, if only to get out of the company of other women.• Just call her, if only to say you're sorry.• I am setting off next Wednesday ... Ah, if only we had clarinets too!• A compelling performance consequence can always be found, if only you choose to find, communicate, and manage toward it. 12 used to say that, although something may be true, it is not important 如果〔用于承认某事可能属实,但不重要〕 If he has a fault at all, it is that he is too generous. 如果他有什么缺点的话,那就是他太慷慨了。
Her only problem, if you can call it a problem, is that she expects to be successful all the time. 她唯一的问题,如果称得上是问题的话,就是她总是渴望成功。
13 ALTHOUGHused when adding one criticism of a person or thing that you generally like 但,却,不过〔用于对大体上喜欢的人或事作批评〕 The eldest son was highly intelligent, if somewhat lazy. 大儿子很聪明,不过有点懒。
Lunch was a grand if rather noisy affair. 午餐场面盛大,只是有点嘈杂。
→ as if at as2(9), → if ever there was one at ever(15), → what if ... ? at what5 GRAMMAR 语法if, whetherWhen you are using if to talk about something that might happen in the future, use the present tense or the present perfect in the if-clause, not 'will' or 'shall'. 用 if 表述将来可能发生的事,在 if 从句中用现在时或现在完成时,不用 will 或 shall
If I see him (Not 不说 will see him), I'll tell him.如果我看到他,我会告诉他的。
If she hasn't come home by midnight, call the police.如果她到午夜还没回家,那就报警。
You can use won't to talk about someone being unwilling to do something in the future. 要表述某人在将来不肯做某事,可以用 won't
If the bank won't listen, say that you are going to move your account.如果银行不肯听,就说你要转移账户。
When you are using if to talk about something that is unlikely to happen or is impossible, use the past tense in the if-clause, not 'would'. 用 if 表述不太可能或不可能发生的事,在 if 从句中用过去时,不用would
If someone give me (Not 不说 would give me)the money, I'd buy a car tomorrow.如果有人给我钱,明天我就去买辆汽车。
In formal English or in writing, use were, not 'was'. 在正式或书面英语中,即使从句的主语是单数,也要用 were,而不用 was
If I were in that position, I'd get legal advice.要是我面临那样的情形,我会去寻求法律咨询。
In normal conversation, you can use was with a singular subject. 平常会话中,主语是单数时可用 was
If I was ten years younger, I'd go out with him.假如我年轻十岁,我会和他谈恋爱。
When you are using if to talk about something that did not happen, use the past perfect tense in the if-clause. 用 if 表述为发生的事,在 if 从句中用过去完成时
If they had tried (Not 不说 would have tried)to stop the demonstration, there would have been a riot.如果他们当时试图阻止游行示威的话,就会发生暴乱了。
If and whether are both used to introduce clauses mentioning things that someone asks about or is uncertain about. if 和 whether 都可用于引导提及某人问到或不确定的事物的从句
I'm not sure if i heard him correctly.我不确定是否对他的话听得真切。
I don't know whether he is guilty.我不知道他是否有罪。
Whether can also be used after a preposition, before the phrase 'or not', and before a 'to' infinitive, but if cannot. whether 也可用在介词后,置于短语 or not 及带 to 的不定式之前,但 if 不可这样使用
the question of whether (Not 不说 if)the injuries had caused Mary's death是否是这些伤造成玛丽死亡的问题
Nobody knew whether or not the technique worked.没人知道这项技术是否有用。
He won’t decide whether to become a candidate until next year.要到下一年他才决定是否参选。
n GrammarChoosing the right tense
You use if with the present tense, when talking about possible future events: If I see him, I’ll tell him.
✗Don’t say: If I will see him, I’ll tell him. You use if with the past tense to talk about something that is unlikely or impossible: If I won the lottery, I would leave my job.
✗Don’t say: If I would win the lottery ... In everyday spoken English, you say if I was: If I was younger, I’d do it myself.
In more formal English, you say if I were: If I were in your position, I’d ask for help.
You use if with the past perfect to talk about something that did not happen: If they had tried to stop the protest, there would have been a riot. 如果他们当时试图阻止游行示威的话,就会发生暴乱了。
✗Don’t say: If they would have tried to stop the protest ... You also use if with the present perfect, when talking about whether something has happened or not: If she hasn’t called by tomorrow, I’ll call her.
Comparison
ifYou say:
I’m not sure if I heard him correctly.
I don’t know if he is guilty.
whetherYou say:
I’m not sure whether I heard him correctly.
I don’t know whether he is guilty.
You can use
whether after a preposition:
We discussed the issue of whether to pay.
✗Don’t say:
the issue of if to payYou can say
whether to do something:
He doesn’t know whether to accept.
✗Don’t say:
He doesn’t know if to accept. THESAURUSif used when talking about the possibility that something might happen or be true 假如,如果He faces a long prison sentence if the court finds him guilty. 如果法庭裁定他有罪,他会面临很长的刑期。
If scientists’ predictions are correct, average global temperatures could rise by 6 degrees. 假如科学家的预测正确,地球平均气温可能上升六度。
unless if something does not happen, or if someone does not do something 除非,如果不The star is difficult to see unless the sky is very clear. 除非天空很清朗,否则很难看到星星。
Doctors said they could not treat the boy unless his parents gave their permission. 医生说除非男孩的父母允许,不然的话他们无法为他治疗。
whether or not used when saying that it does not matter if something happens or not, or if something is true or not 无论,不管是否Most people will get better on their own, whether or not they receive medical treatment. 大多数人不管是否接受治疗都会自己好起来。
I’m still going, whether she likes it or not. 不管她是否喜欢,我还是要去的。
otherwise used when saying that there will be a bad result if someone does not do something, or if something does not happen 否则,不然Drink plenty of water – otherwise you will become dehydrated. 要多喝水,不然会脱水的。
in case in order to deal with something that might happen 以免,以防She did not think it would rain, but she took her umbrella just in case. 她觉得不会下雨,但她还是带上雨伞以防万一。
It is best to keep a medical kit ready in case of emergency. 最好准备一个医药箱以防出现紧急情况。
as long as/provided that only if something else happens or is true 只要,如果…的话Visitors are welcome, as long as they bring their own tent. 欢迎游客前来,但需自带帐篷。
Anyone can join the course, provided that there is space available. 只要有空位,任何人都可参加此课程。
nAs long as you can find a computer, you can access an internet-based bank account wherever you are.
on condition that used when you agree to do something only if someone first agrees to do something else 条件是,在…条件下He was offered the job on condition that he went on a month-long training course. 他获得了这份工作,条件是参加为期一个月的培训。