if this changes

USAGE SUMMARY

"if this changes" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You would use it when describing a hypothetical situation in which one thing or outcome is contingent upon something else changing. For example, "If this changes, then I'll have to reassess my position."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

28 human-written examples

If this changes, the media narrative will change with it.

The New Yorker

If this changes anytime soon it won't be because of anyone we've elected at home.

The Guardian - Opinion

It will be worth it to see if this changes how we think about money.

The New York Times

But even if this changes, power use is unlikely to fall.

The Economist

Given that it might be a free upgrade, I'm wondering if this changes what normally happens before a large upgrade.

The Guardian - Tech

But it will be interesting to see if this changes how developers approach the use of the maps APIs.

The Guardian - Tech

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

32 human-written examples

Is the business viable if this change is permanent?

Harvard Business Review

If this change is made, the benefits will spill into every schoolyard.

The New York Times

Those Democrats uneasy with the initial plan wondered if this change would solve the problem.

The New York Times

If this change scenario can succeed, threats to America will be reduced.

The Washington Post

If this change results in a functionally different amino acid, then a missense mutation may result.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "if this changes", ensure the context clearly defines what "this" refers to, avoiding ambiguity. For example, "If the policy changes, we will notify all users."

Common error

Avoid using "if this changes" without a clear antecedent for "this". Readers might struggle to understand what specific condition or situation is being referred to, leading to confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if this changes" functions as a conditional conjunction, introducing a subordinate clause that sets a condition for the main clause. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage in expressing hypothetical scenarios, contingent outcomes, and dependencies.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

25%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if this changes" serves as a versatile conditional conjunction, widely employed to express contingency across diverse contexts. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and effectively communicates hypothetical scenarios. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various communications, including news reporting, scientific discussions, and formal correspondence. Related phrases, like "should this be altered", offer alternative ways to convey similar conditional meanings. While the phrase is generally clear, ensure that "this" has a defined antecedent to prevent ambiguity. With common usage and a solid grammatical foundation, "if this changes" is a reliable and effective phrase for indicating conditionality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if this is modified

Substitutes "changes" with "is modified", offering a similar conditional meaning but emphasizing a deliberate alteration.

should this be altered

Replaces "changes" with the more formal "be altered", slightly shifting the tone towards a more academic register.

if the situation shifts

Replaces "this" with "the situation" and "changes" with "shifts", focusing on a contextual change.

in the event this is different

Replaces "if" with "in the event", creating a slightly more formal and distanced tone.

assuming this is adjusted

Replaces "if" with "assuming" and "changes" with "is adjusted", framing the condition as a premise.

if a modification occurs

Swaps "this changes" for "a modification occurs", focusing on the event of a modification.

if there's a transformation

Uses "transformation" instead of "changes", suggesting a more significant alteration.

should this undergo a revision

Replaces "changes" with the more formal "undergo a revision", shifting the context towards review and modification.

on the condition this varies

Emphasizes the conditional nature more explicitly by using "on the condition", while "varies" offers a more nuanced substitute for "changes".

contingent on this being different

Rephrases the condition using "contingent on", providing a more formal and explicit connection between the condition and the result.

FAQs

How can I use "if this changes" in a sentence?

Use "if this changes" to introduce a condition that, should it occur, will affect the main clause. For example, "If this changes, we will need to adjust our strategy."

What is a more formal way to say "if this changes"?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "should this be altered" or "in the event this is different".

Is it correct to use "if this changes" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "if this changes". Just ensure that the sentence maintains a clear conditional structure.

What's the difference between "if this changes" and "if this change occurs"?

While both phrases convey a conditional relationship, "if this change occurs" is more explicit, directly referencing a "change". "If this changes" is slightly more general and relies on the context to define what "this" refers to.