if
/ɪf/conjunction
उच्चारण इफ़
यदि, अगर; कि
Basic word
- 1
used to say that one thing can, will or might happen or be true, depending on another thing happening or being true; when; whenever; used after ask, know, find out, wonder to introduce a question requiring yes or no; although
यदि, अगर; कि
- If it rains, we will stay home.
- I wonder if she will come.
- If you heat ice, it melts.
+ 2 more examples
- I would help you if I had the time.
- Let me know if the train is late.
Synonyms in case provided that on condition that whether supposing
§Structures (grammar patterns) 5
first conditional: if + present, will + verb
Use for a real or likely future situation.
वास्तविक या संभावित भविष्य की स्थिति के लिए।
- If it rains, we will cancel the match.
- If you work hard, you will pass.
second conditional: if + past, would + verb
Use for an unreal or unlikely present or future situation; 'were' is used for all persons in formal English.
अवास्तविक या असंभावित वर्तमान/भविष्य की स्थिति के लिए; औपचारिक English में सभी persons के साथ 'were' आता है।
- If I were you, I would apologise.
- If I had a car, I would drive to Goa.
third conditional: if + had + V3, would have + V3
Use for an imaginary past situation, often a regret.
काल्पनिक भूतकाल की स्थिति के लिए, प्रायः पछतावे में।
- If she had studied, she would have passed.
if = whether (indirect questions)
After verbs like ask, wonder, know, 'if' can mean 'whether'.
Ask, wonder, know जैसी क्रियाओं के बाद 'if' का अर्थ 'whether' हो सकता है।
- I asked if she was coming.
- I wonder if it will rain.
zero conditional: if + present, present
Use for general truths and facts.
सामान्य सत्य और तथ्यों के लिए।
- If you heat ice, it melts.
+Collocations 5
if + word
onlynotevernecessarypossibleso
- If necessary, call me after nine.
as if / even if
as ifeven ifwhat ifonly ifif only
- She spoke as if she knew everything.
if + verb phrase
you likeyou don't mindI mayI'm not wrongI remember rightly
- If I remember rightly, the exam is on Monday.
if + time clause
if everif at allif anythingif anyif once
- He rarely, if ever, misses a class.
polite requests
Would you mind ifDo you mind ifI wonder ifCould I ask ifIs it all right if
- Would you mind if I opened the window?
“More examples 6
- If you revise daily, you will remember more.
यदि आप रोज़ दोहराएँगे, तो अधिक याद रखेंगे।
- Radhika would join the army if she were taller.
यदि राधिका लंबी होती, तो वह सेना में भर्ती होती।
- If I had known the answer, I would have written it.
यदि मुझे उत्तर पता होता, तो मैं उसे लिख देता।
- I don't know if he has cleared the exam.
मुझे नहीं पता कि उसने परीक्षा पास की है या नहीं।
- If only I had listened to my teacher!
काश मैंने अपने शिक्षक की बात सुनी होती!
- Even if it rains, the sports day will be held indoors.
बारिश हो भी जाए, तब भी खेल दिवस घर के भीतर होगा।
!Common mistakes 3
✗ If it will rain, we will stay at home.
✓ If it rains, we will stay at home.
Do not use 'will' in the if-clause of a first conditional.
First conditional के if-clause में 'will' नहीं लगता।
✗ If I would have time, I would visit you.
✓ If I had time, I would visit you.
Do not use 'would' in the if-clause.
If-clause में 'would' नहीं लगाया जाता।
✗ If she would have studied, she would have passed.
✓ If she had studied, she would have passed.
Third conditional needs 'had + V3' in the if-clause.
Third conditional के if-clause में 'had + V3' आता है।
§Grammar and usage
Grammar, asked very often (conditionals): first conditional (real future: 'If it rains, I will stay'); second (imaginary present: 'If I were rich, I would travel'; 'were' for all persons in formal English); third (imaginary past: 'If I had studied, I would have passed'); zero conditional (general truths: 'If you heat ice, it melts'); never use will or would in the if-clause ('If it will rain' is wrong); 'if' and 'whether': whether is preferred before 'or not' and after prepositions ('It depends on whether she agrees').
यह बहुत पूछा जाता है (conditionals): first conditional (वास्तविक भविष्य: 'If it rains, I will stay'); second (काल्पनिक वर्तमान: 'If I were rich, I would travel'; औपचारिक English में सभी पुरुषों के लिए 'were'); third (काल्पनिक अतीत: 'If I had studied, I would have passed'); zero conditional (सामान्य सत्य: 'If you heat ice, it melts'); if-clause में will या would कभी न लगाएँ ('If it will rain' गलत है); 'if' और 'whether': 'or not' से पहले और prepositions के बाद whether बेहतर है ('It depends on whether she agrees')।
“Collocations, idioms and sayings
If only (a strong wish: 'If only I had more time'), as if (as though: 'He talks as if he knows everything'), even if (although).
Idioms: if only (प्रबल इच्छा, काश: 'If only I had more time'), as if (मानो: 'He talks as if he knows everything'), even if (भले ही)।