if it leaves

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if it leaves" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in contexts where you are discussing the potential departure or exit of something or someone. Example: "I will reconsider my options if it leaves the market."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But it can't do its job if it leaves so many behind so early.

The New York Times

No society will know peace if it leaves half its population behind.

Huffington Post

No country can get ahead if it leaves half of its population behind.

The Guardian - Opinion

But he also urged Europe to understand what is at stake if it leaves Italy to its own fate.

The New York Times

According to the Department of Transportation, a flight is considered on time if it leaves or arrives at its gate within 15 minutes of its schedule.

The New York Times

Instead, leading politicians are merely suggesting that not much needs to change in Britain's relationship with its European neighbors even if it leaves the EU.

Los Angeles Times

Baylor University has retained its right to take legal action against Texas A&M if it leaves the Big 12 for the SEC and breaks its conference contract.

The New York Times - Sports

See articleA senior American diplomat warned Britain that it risks damaging its relationship with America and being sidelined internationally if it leaves the European Union.

The Economist

If it leaves, the UK will lose a third of its territory, and 8percentt of its citizens.

Vice

"The German government doesn't want to be the one to wag its finger at the UK, threatening what might happen if it leaves," he said.

BBC

But if it leaves production steady, the decline in prices will cost its members revenues.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if it leaves" to clearly state a conditional outcome based on a potential departure. It's crucial for setting up scenarios and potential consequences in your writing.

Common error

Ensure the "it" in "if it leaves" has a clear and unambiguous referent within the sentence or preceding context. Avoid ambiguity by clearly defining what "it" refers to, especially in complex sentences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if it leaves" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a hypothetical situation and its potential consequences. As Ludwig AI shows, it's commonly used to set up scenarios where a specific entity's departure affects a particular outcome.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Academia

15%

Science

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if it leaves" is a common and grammatically correct conditional phrase used to explore the potential consequences of something's departure. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI's analysis of numerous examples from diverse sources, the phrase is most frequently encountered in News & Media, Academia, and Science, maintaining a neutral register suitable for various contexts. When using "if it leaves", ensure the referent of "it" is clear to avoid ambiguity. Understanding its function and potential alternatives enhances clarity and precision in writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

should it depart

Formal alternative emphasizing the act of leaving.

if it withdraws

Emphasizes a deliberate removal from a situation.

in the event of its exit

Formal alternative highlighting the 'exit' aspect.

assuming it exits

Highlights the assumption or condition of exiting.

on its departure

Focuses on the moment of leaving.

should it pull out

Emphasizes the act of withdrawing from an agreement or situation.

if it backs out

Focuses on withdrawing from a commitment.

if it goes away

More informal way to express the idea of leaving.

in case it abandons

Highlights the act of abandoning or deserting.

supposing it relinquishes

Formal alternative that emphasizes surrendering something.

FAQs

How can I use "if it leaves" in a sentence?

Use "if it leaves" to introduce a conditional clause where you are speculating on the consequences of something departing. For example, "The company will suffer "if it leaves" the European market".

What are some alternatives to using "if it leaves"?

You can use alternatives like "should it depart", "in the event of its exit", or "if it withdraws", depending on the desired level of formality and the specific context.

Is there a difference between "if it leaves" and "if it remains"?

"If it leaves" discusses potential consequences of a departure, whereas "if it remains" considers the outcomes of something staying. They are opposite scenarios.

When is it appropriate to use "if it leaves" in formal writing?

It's appropriate in formal writing when you need to discuss potential outcomes contingent on something exiting or departing. Ensure the tone aligns with the overall formality of your document and the "it" has a clear reference.