if-clause
if-clause — noun
1. the part of a sentence that begins with 'if' and states the condition under whic
the part of a sentence that begins with 'if' and states the condition under which the other part (the main clause) is true or will happen — for example, 'if it rains' in 'if it rains, the picnic will be cancelled'.
Felix highlighted the if-clause in green so his students could spot the condition quickly.
countable noun: highlighted the if-clause
An if-clause usually comes before the main clause, but it can also follow it in writing.
typical grammar-textbook framing of position
Xiu reminded the class that the verb in the if-clause does not take 'will' in most conditional sentences.
The exam paper asked students to underline the if-clause in each of the ten sentences.
Saira used a short if-clause at the start of the email to soften her request to the manager.
- conditional clause
broader technical term; covers if-clauses plus other condition-marking clauses (unless, provided that)
- protasis
academic linguistics term for the condition half of a conditional sentence; rarely used outside formal study
- main clause
the other half of a conditional sentence, stating the result
- then-clause
informal pairing term used in some grammar guides
用法筆記
Used almost exclusively in grammar teaching and language-learning materials. Often paired with 'main clause' or 'then-clause' to describe the two halves of a conditional sentence.