if they come

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if they come" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it in conditional statements to express a situation that depends on the arrival of certain people or things. Example: "We will have a meeting in the conference room if they come."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"If they come, they come.

The New York Times

I mean, if they come, they come.

The New Yorker

And if they come close?

The New York Times

"If they come off, great.

The Guardian - Money

If they come back they are yours.

The Guardian - Sport

"But if they come I will".

The Guardian

Others welcome, if they come to mind.

The Guardian

"If they come for me," my father said.

The New York Times

"What will happen if they come?" she asked.

The New York Times

"If they come here, I'll fight them myself!" Vadim said.

The New Yorker

It will be like Belfast if they come in here.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if they come" in situations where you want to express a conditional action or outcome that depends on the arrival or appearance of a specific group or entity. It is appropriate for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "if they come" when you actually need to describe a habitual action. For example, don't say "I always prepare extra food if they come", but rather, "I always prepare extra food when they come" to express a repeated action.

Linguistic Context

"If they come" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a condition upon which the main clause depends. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and widely used. It sets up a scenario where the fulfillment of the action ('they come') directly impacts the outcome described in the rest of the sentence.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

28%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Academia

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"If they come" is a versatile phrase used to introduce conditional scenarios, indicating that an action or outcome is contingent upon the arrival or presence of certain individuals or entities. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts. Its neutral register makes it suitable for both formal and informal communication, prominently appearing in news, scientific literature, and general discussions. When writing, ensure that you are using the correct conditional tense and avoid confusing it with habitual actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if they are present

A straightforward way of stating the condition based on their presence.

should they arrive

Formal alternative using 'should' to introduce a conditional clause.

provided they arrive

Indicates that something will happen only if they arrive.

assuming they show up

An informal alternative that emphasizes the assumption of their presence.

on the condition they come

Emphasizes that something depends specifically on their arrival.

in the event they appear

A more formal and emphatic way to express the condition of their arrival.

if they make an appearance

More descriptive, suggesting their arrival is noteworthy.

if their arrival occurs

Rephrases the condition using 'arrival occurs' for a slightly more formal tone.

should their presence occur

Formal and somewhat uncommon, focusing on their presence.

once they are here

Shifts the focus to what happens after they have already arrived.

FAQs

How can I use "if they come" in a sentence?

Use "if they come" to introduce a conditional clause, such as "If they come, we will start the meeting". This indicates that the meeting's commencement is dependent on their arrival.

What can I say instead of "if they come"?

You can use alternatives like "should they arrive", "in case they show up", or "provided they arrive" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "if they will come" instead of "if they come"?

In most cases, it's better to use "if they come" instead of "if they will come". The simple present tense after 'if' is generally preferred for conditional clauses referring to possible future events.

What's the difference between "if they come" and "when they come"?

"If they come" implies uncertainty about their arrival, while "when they come" suggests that their arrival is expected or certain.