if

if

if¹ [if]

conj.

[ME < OE gif, akin to Ger ob (OHG oba, ibu, Goth ibai): ult. source uncert.]

1. on condition that; in case; supposing [if I come, I'll see him; if I were you, I wouldn't do that]

2. allowing that; granting that [if she was there, I didn't see her]

3. whether: used to introduce an indirect question [ask him if he knows her] If is also used to introduce an exclamation expressing a wish or regret [if only I had known! ] or surprise, annoyance, etc. [ well, if that isn't the most ridiculous thing! ]

n.

1. a supposition or speculation

2. a condition or qualification [a clause filled with ifs]

——————

as if

as the situation would be if; as though

if²

abbrev.

1. Baseball infield

2. intermediate frequency