if and when
Upon possible occurrence
If and when signals that something will happen only under certain conditions, and possibly not at all.
The phrase hedges against assuming an outcome: We'll deal with that if and when it happens.
Critics sometimes call it redundant, but the doubling serves a purpose—"if" acknowledges uncertainty while "when" implies readiness for the possibility.
- ifConditional clause marker
- caveatWarning or qualification
- eventualityPotential future happening
- conditionalDependent on prerequisites
- conjunctiveServing to connect
contingency · proviso · stipulation · just in case · on the off chance · happen · if and only if · after · as soon as · scenario · assumption · supposition · uncertain · prerequisite · occurrence · at some point · down the road · sooner or later
certainty and definiteness
if and whendefinitely
With complete certainty
certainly · absolutely · without fail · guaranteed · for sure