Distinguishing Between If & When

If vs When

If and When are two words that are frequently misused, despite having distinct differences. The word “if” is derived from the Old English word “gif,” while “when” comes from the Old English words “hwanne” and “hwenn.” In terms of usage, “if” can function as a conjunction and a noun, while “when” can be a relative adverb and a conjunction. “If” is used as a conditional conjunction and as a noun, it represents a supposition or a condition.

Meaning of If

“If” is employed as a conditional word to introduce a conditional clause. For instance, in the sentence “If you come today, I shall show the book,” the word “if” is used conditionally. The speaker implies that they will show the book only if their friend arrives that day. The word “if” can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence, often as a conjunction, as demonstrated in the sentence “I can come tomorrow if you can complete the work today.” Here, “if” functions as a conditional conjunction, joining the two sentences “I can come tomorrow” and “You can complete the work today,” while also being used in a conditional sense.

Meaning of When

The word “when” is employed as a relative adverb, typically in relation to time, as seen in the sentences “I went home when the boys slept” and “She came to my house when I was taking my dinner.” In both instances, “when” indicates the time at which a specific action occurred. In this context, “when” is used as a relative adverb meaning “at or on which.” Similar to “if,” “when” can be used at the beginning or in the middle of a sentence and can also function as a conjunction, specifically as a conjunction indicative of time.

Key Takeaways

• “If” is used as a conditional word to introduce a conditional clause, while “when” is used in relation to time.
• “When” is used as a relative adverb meaning “at or on which.”
• Both “if” and “when” can be used as conjunctions, but “if” is a conditional conjunction, whereas “when” is a conjunction indicative of time.