Both “when and if” conjunctions are subordinating conjunctions. They introduce dependant adverb clause of time and condition. When forms adverb clause of time, while if is well known in conditional sentence. Let’s learn in detail correct use of when and if conjunctions.
1.They left station when the train departed.
2.It started raining when they reached home.
3.People went to purchase mangoes when the prices declined.
4.Farmers started sowing soyabean when monsoonal rain arrived.
Difference between When and if conjunctions
“At that time” is the hidden meaning of “when” subordinating conjunction of time and condition as well. It is used to link two interdependent actions with close sequence. It is also used to describe actions happening at the time of expression.
On the other hand, “If…clause and conjunction is used to describe hypothetical imagination or possibility whether it is realistic or irreversible. It is used to describe a condition in which a desired result is only possible when the required condition is fulfilled.
You might be aware about the fact that “when” conjunction is mainly used to introduce adverb clause of time. To describe an action happening at a point of time, when conjunction of time is preferred.
Simple steps to guide correct use of when and if conjunctions
As I mentioned before that the hidden meaning of When is ‘point of time’ and ‘at that time’. It plays role in describing close sequence between two actions. At the same time, often, it is grammatically correct to use to express condition as well. Following is the basic format of when…clause.
“When + dependent clause + comma + main clause. Main clause + when + dependent clause”.
There is no restrictive condition for when while using in sentence. You can put it either at the beginning or in the middle.
Future auxiliary verbs aren’t used in the when clause. Instead, present auxiliary verbs are preferred for future sense.
Useful examples of adverb clause of time -“when” (When with simple past tense)
- It was the time of tension and insecurity when the world divided into two poles. (When? At that time– Cold War)
- He used to visit national parks when he was in the Kenya. (occasion of Kenya visit)
- When we visited tribal regions, we worked for tribal cause.
Use of when conjunction with simple past and perfect past tense
When is used to express actions in a sequence with minimum gap. (Simple past and perfect past)
- When the bus arrived, the passengers had already left the bus stop.
- We had already covered the ground when it started raining.
- When they declared ceasefire, thousands of people had been killed.
When conjunction with simple present and future tense
For the future tense, simple present is used, and “Will” is not used in the when clause. (Simple Present and simple future tense)
- I will assist you when I finish job.
- Temperature will come down when the carbon emissions decrease.
- The situation will become serious when the rain delays.
To understand the difference between when and if conjunctions, we need to take a close look at the meaning and use of “if” conjunction of condition..
Explaining “If” conjunction of condition
Though the conditional sentences are used to express the hypothetical scenarios, “if” conjunction of condition is used to describe possibility in conditions as well.
All types of conditional sentences we form with “If…clause” like Zero, first, second, and third conditional sentences.
Usages and useful examples of “If” (Zero, first, second, and third Conditional sentences)
1.Zero level of conditional sentences describe the general truth or possibility.
2.In the first level conditional sentences, “If” is used to begin a dependent clause, but in the second main clause will is generally used.
3.In the second level conditional sentences, would is preferred in place of will.
4.And, in the third level conditional sentences, simple past and perfect past tense we use for missed opportunity.
5.Comma is introduced to separate two parts of sentence only when the If clause is used to begin the sentence.
Examples of “If” conditional conjunction
Now, you can read here very simple examples of if…. clause with realistic, unrealistic imagination and missed opportunity.
(If….clause with simple present tense only)
1.Season occurs if earth revolves.
2.If you sow seed, it returns as fruit.
3. Cyclone origins if low pressure develops.
(If clause with simple present + future)
1.She will speak fluently if she learn proper english language.
2. If I receive my first salary, I will give a party for you.
3.I will escort him carefully if he arrives on time.
4.If he invites, I may think positively.
(If clause with simple past tense)
1.If I were a teacher, I would teach poor.
2. If I were you, I would not miss this chance.
3.If I were scientist, I would develop covid vaccine.
(If clause with Simple past and perfect past tense)
1.If our party had won the election, people would not have suffered like this.
2. The board of directors would have accepted the proposal if you had convinced them properly.
In these examples, second main clause is the possible outcome of the earlier condition. I have presented here every detail regarding the correct use of when and if conjunctions of time and condition. This is all about the correct use of when and if conjunctions.
Correct use of Provided that and on condition that
Simple continuous and perfect past
Adversative coordinating conjunctions
Simple and continuous future tense
Will shall would & should modal verbs