if this happens

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the sentence "if this happens" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are making a prediction or expressing a condition. For example: If this happens, we will have to start over again.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"What if this happens?

The New York Times - Sports

I was saying, 'What if this happens?

The New Yorker

If this happens, fair enough.

The Guardian - Sport

I ask if this happens often.

The Guardian - Travel

If this happens, Harvard will be fine.

The Guardian

(If this happens, skip to Step 5).

The New York Times

(The company recommends refrigeration if this happens).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It would be tragic if this happens.

The New York Times

"I was thinking, 'If this happens, if that happens, if this happens,' " he said.

The New York Times - Sports

If this happens, the solution (25), (26) should be adopted.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

If this happens, the packet must be retransmitted for fairness.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if this happens" to clearly state a condition and its potential consequence. It's a straightforward way to present a cause-and-effect scenario.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple sentences starting with "if this happens", as it can make your writing repetitive. Vary your sentence structure to improve readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if this happens" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a hypothetical scenario. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically correct and can be used in written English to express a condition or make a prediction. Examples in Ludwig illustrate its common usage across varied contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Wiki

37%

News & Media

30%

Science

23%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if this happens" is a grammatically correct and highly versatile conditional phrase used to introduce potential scenarios and their consequences. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability in written English. It is most frequently found in Wiki articles, News & Media reports, and Scientific publications, indicating broad applicability across different registers, though leaning toward a more neutral or informal tone. When using "if this happens", ensure clarity in expressing the condition and its outcome, and consider alternative phrases for more formal or nuanced expressions. The phrase is a cornerstone of conditional reasoning and forecasting in both writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if this were to occur

Uses a subjunctive mood to express a hypothetical situation.

in the event that this occurs

More formal alternative using "in the event that" instead of "if".

in case this comes about

Uses "in case" to introduce the conditional scenario.

if such a thing occurs

Replaces "this happens" with the more general "such a thing occurs".

if this materializes

Replaces "happens" with "materializes", implying something becoming real or concrete.

assuming this transpires

Replaces "happens" with the more formal "transpires".

supposing this takes place

Introduces the condition with "supposing".

should this come to pass

A more literary or formal way of expressing the condition.

given that this unfolds

Expresses the condition as something that is unfolding or developing.

on the off chance that this happens

Expresses a lower probability of the event occurring.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "if this happens" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can use phrases such as "in the event that this occurs" or "should this come to pass".

Is there a difference between "if this happens" and "if this were to happen"?

"If this happens" is a general conditional statement, while "if this were to happen" uses the subjunctive mood to indicate a more hypothetical or less likely scenario.

What are some common synonyms for "if this happens"?

Common synonyms include "in case this comes about", "assuming this transpires", or "if such a thing occurs" depending on the context.

How to use "if this happens" in a sentence?

You can use "if this happens" to introduce a potential condition: "If this happens, we will need to adjust our strategy accordingly."