introducing a conditional clause [引导条件状语从句]如果 ■on the condition or supposition that; in the event that 如果 if you have a complaint, write to the director. 如果你想抱怨,就给厂长写信。 if you like I'll put in a word for you. 如果你愿意,我就替你说句好话。 ■(with past tense) introducing a hypothetical situation [后跟过去时态,表示假设]要是,假如 if you had stayed, this would never have happened. 要是你当时留了下来,就不会发生这件事。 ■whenever; every time 无论何时;每当 if I go out she gets nasty. 每逢我出门,她就变得很讨厌。
despite the possibility that; no matter whether 虽然;即使 if it takes me seven years, I shall do it. 即使花上7年时间,我也要做这件事。
(often used in indirect questions) whether [常用于间接疑问句]是否 he asked if we would like some coffee. 他问我们想不想来点咖啡。 see if you can track it down. 看看你是否能追查到。
[with modal]expressing a polite request [表示礼貌的问询]是否 if I could trouble you for your names?. 麻烦能否问一下你们的姓名?。 if you wouldn't mind giving him a message?. 你是否介意带个口信给他?。
expressing an opinion [表示看法]如果 that's a jolly long walk, if you don't mind my saying so. 那是一次愉快的长途散步,如果你不介意我这么说。 if you ask me, he's in love. 如果你问我,他是在恋爱了。
expressing surprise or regret [表示惊讶、遗憾]这不 是…;要 是…多好 well, if it isn't Frank!. 哟,这不是弗兰克吗!。 if I could just be left alone. 要是没人来管我多好。
with implied reservation [表示含蓄的怀疑] ■and perhaps not 或许不 the new leaders have little if any control. 新任领导们很少有,或许根本就没有什么控制力。 ■used to admit something as being possible but regarded as relatively insignificant [表示虽有可能,但不重要]就算 if there was any weakness, it was naivety. 就算有什么缺点,也只是天真而已。 so what if he did?. 就算是他做的又怎样?。 ■despite being (used before an adjective or adverb to introduce a contrast) [置于形容词或副词前表示对比]尽管 she was honest, if a little brutal. 她是诚实的,尽管有点残忍。
noun
a condition or supposition 条件;假设 there are so many ifs and buts in the policy. 这项政策里有那么多假设和例外。
常用词组 if and only if
used to introduce a condition which is necessary as well as sufficient 当且仅当 witches are real if and only if there are criteria for identifying witches. 当且仅当有标准识别女巫,女巫才是真实存在的。
if and when
at a future time (should it arise) 如果,万一 if and when the film gets the green light, be sure you've read the book first. 万一电影得到许可,千万保证你已经读过那本书了。
if anything
used to suggest tentatively that something may be the case (often the opposite of something previously implied) 如果是这样的话(之前多已提及相反的情况) I haven't made much of this—if anything, I've played it down. 对此我并没有加以重视——如果是这样的话,那我是看低它了。
if I were you
used to accompany a piece of advice (表示建议)换作是我 I would go to see him if I were you. 换作是我,我会去见他。
if not
perhaps even (used to introduce a more extreme term than one first mentioned) [用于提出更极端的说法]甚至可能 hundreds if not thousands of germs. 数以百计甚至可能数以千计的细菌。
if only
even if for no other reason than 即使只为了 Willy would have to tell George more, if only to stop him pestering. 即使只为了阻止乔治惹恼别人,威利也会告诉他更多的。
used to express a wish, especially regretfully 要 是…就好了 if only I had listened to you. 如果我听你的话就好了。
if so
if that is the case 若是这样
语源
Old English gif, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch of and German ob
用法
If and whether are more or less interchangeable in sentences like I'll see if he left an address and I'll see whether he left an addressalthough whether is generally regarded as more formal and suitable for written use