释义
🔑 if BrE /ɪf / NAmE /ɪf / conjunction 🔑 used to say that one thing can , will or might happen or be true , depending on another thing happening or being true ◆ If you see him , give him this note . ◆ I'll only stay if you offer me more money . ◆ If necessary I can come at once . ◆ You can stay for the weekend if you like . ◆ If anyone calls , tell them I'm not at home . ◆ If he improved his IT skills , he'd (= he would easily get a job . ◆ You would know what was going on if you'd (= you had listened . ◆ They would have been here by now if they'd caught the early train . ◆ If I was in charge , I'd do things differently . ◆ (rather formal If I were in charge… ◆ Even if (= although you did see someone , you can't be sure it was him . 🔑 when ; whenever ; every time ◆ If metal gets hot it expands . ◆ She glares at me if I go near her desk . (formal used with will or would to ask sb politely to do sth ◆ If you will sit down for a few moments , I'll tell the manager you're here . ◆ If you would care to leave your name , we'll contact you as soon as possible . 🔑 used after ask , know , find out , wonder , etc . to introduce one of two or more possibilities SYN whether ◆ Do you know if he's married ? ◆ I wonder if I should wear a coat or not . ◆ He couldn't tell if she was laughing or crying . ◆ Listen to the tune and see if you can remember the words . if / whether Both if and whether are used in reporting questions which expect 'yes' or 'no' as the answer * if 和 whether 均用于要求以 yes 或 no 作答的转述疑问句中 ： ◆ She asked if/whether I wanted a drink. 她问我要不要喝点什么。 although whether sounds more natural with particular verbs such as discuss , consider and decide . When a choice is offered between alternatives, if or whether can be used. 不过 whether 与 discuss、consider 和 decide 等动词连用听起来更自然。提供选择时用 if 或 whether 均可 ： ◆ We didn't know if/whether we should write or phone. 我们不知道是写信好还是打电话好。 In this last type of sentence, whether is usually considered more formal and more suitable for written English. 在最后这一句型中，一般认为 whether 较正式，更适用于书面语。 🔑 used after verbs or adjectives expressing feelings ◆ I am sorry if I disturbed you . ◆ I'd be grateful if you would keep it a secret . ◆ Do you mind if I turn the TV off ? 🔑 used to admit that sth is possible , but to say that it is not very important ◆ If she has any weakness , it is her Italian . ◆ So what if he was late . Who cares ? used before an adjective to introduce a contrast ◆ He's a good driver , if a little over -confident . ◆ We'll only do it once — if at all . 🔑 used to ask sb to listen to your opinion ◆ If you ask me , she's too scared to do it . ◆ If you think about it , those children must be at school by now . ◆ If you remember , Mary was always fond of animals . used before could , may or might to suggest sth or to interrupt sb politely ◆ If I may make a suggestion , perhaps we could begin a little earlier next week . ● ˌif and ˈwhen used to say sth about an event that may or may not happen ◆ If and when we ever meet again I hope he remembers what I did for him . ● if ˈanything used to express an opinion about sth , or after a negative statement to suggest that the opposite is true ◆ I'd say he was more like his father , if anything . ◆ She's not thin —if anything she's on the plump side . ● if ˌI were ˈyou 🔑 used to give sb advice ◆ If I were you I'd start looking for another job . ● if ˈnot 🔑 used to introduce a different suggestion , after a sentence with if ◆ I'll go if you're going . If not (= if you are not I'd rather stay at home . 🔑 used after a yes /no question to say what will or should happen if the answer is 'no' ◆ Are you ready ? If not , I'm going without you . ◆ Do you want that cake ? If not , I'll have it . used to suggest that sth may be even larger , more important , etc . than was first stated ◆ They cost thousands if not millions of pounds to build . ● if ˈonly 🔑 used to say that you wish sth was true or that sth had happened ◆ If only I were rich . ◆ If only I knew her name . ◆ If only he'd remembered to send that letter . ◆ If only I had gone by taxi . ● it's not as if used to say that sth that is happening is surprising ◆ I'm surprised they've invited me to their wedding —it's not as if I know them well . ● ˈonly if (rather formal used to state the only situation in which sth can happen ◆ Only if a teacher has given permission is a student allowed to leave the room . ◆ Only if the red light comes on is there any danger to employees . 🔑 if BrE /ɪf / NAmE /ɪf / noun (informal a situation that is not certain ◆ If he wins —and it's a big if —he'll be the first Englishman to win for fifty years . ◆ There are still a lot of ifs and buts before everything's settled .
