if it found

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if it found" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "if it is found" or "if it finds"? You can use a corrected version of this phrase when discussing the condition of something being discovered or located. Example: "We will proceed with the project if it is found that the data is accurate."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It gave Microsoft eight weeks to respond, adding that the company could defend its position in a hearing if it found that useful.

The New York Times - Tech

Mr. Hindy said the company could expand its local production to more than 40,000 barrels a year, and more than double its current payroll of 35 people, if it found a space that was large enough.

The New York Times

And he avers the company could get additional sources of funding if it found a "tremendous opportunity" that exceeded the size of its wallet.

Forbes

He said the company would look into it and, if it found results similar to mine, would change the information on its labels.

The New York Times

If it found a clearer focus, it would find a ready audience.

The New York Times

If it found him guilty, a court martial could impose death or life imprisonment.

The New York Times

The airline said that it would schedule additional cargo flights if it found enough customers.

The New York Times

Soubry insisted the government would take action if it found evidence of wrongdoing.

The Guardian - Business

She also said the lab would notify a doctor immediately if it found signs of infections.

The New York Times

Even if it found a buyer, who would be next to face a run, and possible ruin?

The New Yorker

If it found an even number that wasn't prime, it would stop and you would know the conjecture was false.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing conditional sentences, ensure the verb tenses are grammatically aligned. For past conditional scenarios, use "if it had found" or "if it were found".

Common error

Avoid using the simple past tense ("found") in the 'if' clause when referring to a hypothetical past situation. Use the past perfect ("had found") or a passive construction ("were found") instead to maintain grammatical correctness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if it found" typically introduces a conditional clause, setting a condition upon which another action or state depends. Ludwig AI, however, identifies it as grammatically questionable and suggests utilizing alternative tenses to improve accuracy.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Social Media

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "if it found" is commonly used, Ludwig AI suggests it is grammatically incorrect. It often appears in news and general media, aiming to set a condition based on a discovery. To ensure accuracy, particularly in formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "if it is found" or "if it had found". Pay close attention to verb tenses to maintain grammatical correctness. By adopting these best practices, writers can avoid common errors and enhance the clarity and credibility of their writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if it is found

Adds the auxiliary verb "is" to create a passive construction, indicating something being discovered by an unspecified agent.

if it were found

Uses the subjunctive mood "were" to express a hypothetical or unlikely condition of discovery.

if it discovers

Changes the verb tense to present, making the action of discovery ongoing or habitual.

should it find

Inverts the subject and auxiliary verb "should" to create a formal conditional statement.

if it happened to find

Adds "happened to" to express a chance or accidental discovery.

in the event that it finds

Replaces "if" with a more formal phrase, "in the event that", to introduce the conditional clause.

assuming it finds

Replaces "if" with "assuming", indicating a presupposition or expectation of discovery.

provided that it finds

Uses "provided that" to specify a condition that must be met for a certain outcome.

on the condition that it finds

Expresses a stricter condition using "on the condition that".

once it has found

Changes the tense to present perfect, focusing on the completion of the act of finding before a subsequent action.

FAQs

What is the correct way to phrase a past conditional statement?

For past conditional statements, it's grammatically correct to use "if it had found" or "if it were found" instead of "if it found". For instance, you might say, "The project would have been approved if it had found sufficient funding".

Can I use "if it found" in any context?

While "if it found" appears in some published materials, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. Preferring alternatives like "if it is found" or "if it were found" will ensure clarity and grammatical accuracy.

What are some alternatives to "if it found" that maintain a similar meaning?

Alternatives include "if it discovered", "should it find", or "in the event that it finds", each varying slightly in formality and emphasis.

Is there a difference between "if it found", "if it finds", and "if it is found"?

"If it finds" refers to a present or future possibility. "If it is found" is a passive construction also indicating a present or future possibility. "If it found" is generally considered grammatically incorrect for expressing past conditional scenarios; you should use "if it had found" or "if it were found" instead.