If vs Because - What's the difference?
if | because |
Supposing that, assuming that, in the circumstances that;
Supposing that;
Although;
(computing) In the event that a statement is true (a programming statement that acts in a similar manner).
Whether;
* 1715–1717 , , Alma; or, The Progress of the Mind , Canto III:
(usually hyperbolic) Even if; even in the circumstances that.
* 2004', (singers), “'''If It’s The Last Thing I Do” (song), in ''You Do Your Thing (album):
(informal) An uncertainty, possibility, condition, doubt etc.
* 1709, Susannah Centlivre, The Busy Body'', Act III, in John Bell (ed.), ''British Theater , J. Bell (1791),
* 1791 January, "Richard?on’s Chemical Principles of the Metallic Arts''", in ''The Monthly Review , R. Griffiths,
* {{quote-news, year=2013, date=April 9, author=Andrei Lankov, title=Stay Cool. Call North Korea’s Bluff., work=New York Times
, passage=Even if they managed to strike Japan, the United States or South Korea with nuclear weapons — a big if , given that they do not have a reliable delivery system — they could not save themselves from ultimate defeat.}}
(archaic) For the reason (that ).
* 1611 , Authorized King James Version of Genesis 2:3:
On account (of''), for sake (''of ).
By or for the cause that; on this account that; for the reason that.
*
, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=1
, passage=I was about to say that I had known the Celebrity from the time he wore kilts. But I see I will have to amend that, because he was not a celebrity then, nor, indeed, did he achieve fame until some time after I left New York for the West.}}
* {{quote-magazine, year=2013, month=May-June, author=
, title= * , chapter=17
, title= As is known, inferred, or determined from the fact that.
(obsolete) So that, in order that.
*, II.3.2:
* 2012' October 20, "D.F. Manno" (username), ''GOP deadbeat dad: No abortion exceptions '''because SCIENCE!'', in alt.fan.cecil-adams, ''Usenet
* 2013' November 19, Megan Garber, ''English Has a New Preposition, '''Because Internet :
* 2013 December 6, (Donald Glover) ((Childish Gambino)), (Because the Internet)
As an initialism if
is interactive fiction.As an adverb because is
(archaic) for the reason (that ).As a conjunction because is
by or for the cause that; on this account that; for the reason that.As a preposition because is
.if
English
(wikipedia if)Conjunction
(English Conjunctions)- If it rains, I will get wet .
- I'd prefer it if you took your shoes off.
- He was a great friend, if a little stingy at the bar.
- If A, then B, else C.
- I don't know if I want to go or not.
- Quoth Matthew, “”
- If' it’s the last thing I do / '''If''' it takes me from Tubilo to Timbuktu / '''If''' it’s the last thing I do / I’m gonna dodge every road block, speed trap, county cop / To get my hands on you / ' If it’s the last thing I do.
Usage notes
* Specifically a subordinating conjunction.Derived terms
* iff * if and only if * if clause * if only * as if * even if * if so beAlternative forms
* ifen * iffenNoun
(en noun)page 59,
- Sir Fran.'' Nay, but Chargy, if——— ¶ ''Miran.'' Nay, Gardy, no Ifs'''.——Have I refus'd three northern lords, two British peers, and half a score knights, to have put in your ' Ifs ?
page 176,
- Well might Bergman add, (in his Sciographia,''), “if the compari?on that has been made, &c. be ju?t.” The pre?ent writer makes no ''ifs about the matter, and has ?uperadded a little inaccuracy of his own, […]
citation
Derived terms
* big if *See also
* and * else * false * or * then * trueStatistics
*because
English
Alternative forms
* 'cause, cos, cuz, coz, 'cos, 'cuz, 'coz,Adverb
(-)- And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.
- I ruined my life because of you!
Derived terms
* because of * just becauseConjunction
(English Conjunctions)Katrina G. Claw
Rapid Evolution in Eggs and Sperm, volume=101, issue=3, magazine=(American Scientist) , passage=In plants, the ability to recognize self from nonself plays an important role in fertilization, because self-fertilization will result in less diverse offspring than fertilization with pollen from another individual.}}
The Mirror and the Lamp, passage=“Perhaps it is because I have been excommunicated. It's absurd, but I feel like the Jackdaw of Rheims.” ¶ She winced and bowed her head. Each time that he spoke flippantly of the Church he caused her pain.}}
- Simonset the house on fire where he was born, because nobody should point at it.
Synonyms
* (for the reason that) therefore, since, for, for that, forthy, for sake, forwhy, as, inasmuch as, (mathematics symbol)Preposition
(English prepositions)- Linguists are recognizing the delightful evolution of the word "because."
- Let's start with the dull stuff, because pragmatism.