if clause
Supposition in grammar
An if clause is the conditional part of a sentence that sets up a hypothetical situation or condition: If it rains, we'll stay inside.
The if clause establishes what must be true for the main clause to apply.
Grammarians distinguish types based on how likely or real the condition is—from open possibilities if you come tomorrow to impossible counterfactuals if I had known.
- conditionalDependent on prerequisites
- subordinateOne lower in rank
- hypotheticalAssumed but unproven
- supposeAccept as true tentatively
- unlessExcept if
when · then · consequence · subjunctive · would · could · might · grammar · contingent · proviso · stipulation · assuming · provided · provided that · on condition that · given · in case · counterfactual