if this happens again

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if this happens again" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to a repeated event or situation or when mentioning a hypothetical situation. For example: "If this happens again, we should take immediate action."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Will I be safe if this happens again?

The Guardian

"If this happens again," she told the president, "either Al Gonzales or I will have to resign".

The New York Times

"If this happens again, it'll make it easier to go out and find another job," she said.

The New York Times

If this happens again (and is mirrored by a Tory collapse in their weaker seats in urban England) it could produce a lot of Lib Dem first places.

The Guardian

If this happens again for Brown, everyone will be calling him for Lotto numbers, and rabbits' feet will be replaced with Mike Brown dolls.

The New York Times - Sports

Abta should be prepared to step in where an agent is unable to supply the flights booked, so if this happens again, that may be your best course of action.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

They still get our weekly newsletter, and if something like this happens again, we're going to have a group of 18,000 people to draw from to help.

The New York Times

This position will have gone down very well in Tbilisi, but do we really mean to commit ourselves to an all-out war against the Russian Federation if something like this happens again?

The Guardian

We've shown you can stay up despite being seven points adrift with a month left – but it'll be a miracle if something like this happens again … " The Uruguayan, who has choreographed the collection of 13 points from the previous five games, sat nervously in his dugout at kick-off with a rug wrapped around his legs warding off the unseasonably icy rain.

The Guardian - Sport

"We want to know whether Southeastern responded as quickly and effectively as it should, and how it will improve its response if something like this happens again".

BBC

And it will continue to be, not if, but when, this happens again.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "if this happens again", clearly specify what "this" refers to in the immediate context to avoid ambiguity. For example, "If the system crashes again, we will need to escalate the issue."

Common error

Ensure that "this" in the phrase "if this happens again" has a clear and explicit antecedent. Overuse of vague "this" references can confuse readers and weaken your argument. Always clarify what specific event or situation you're referring to.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if this happens again" functions as an adverbial clause of condition. It sets a condition that, if met, will result in a specific outcome. Ludwig AI confirms its proper use in setting expectations or issuing warnings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if this happens again" is a versatile phrase functioning as an adverbial clause of condition to express the consequences of a repeated event. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used across various contexts, particularly in News & Media. For those seeking alternative ways to express this conditional scenario, options like "should this recur" or "should it be repeated" provide similar meanings with varying levels of formality. It's essential to ensure that the reference to "this" is clear to prevent ambiguity. Overall, "if this happens again" is a reliable phrase for clearly stating conditions and consequences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if this recurs

A more concise and direct way of saying "if this happens again".

should this recur

Replaces "if this happens again" with a more formal and concise phrase.

should this be repeated

Emphasizes the hypothetical repetition with a slightly more formal tone.

in the event of a recurrence

Uses a more formal and emphatic noun phrase to express a similar condition.

if it were to reoccur

Employs a subjunctive mood to introduce a hypothetical repeated event.

should it be repeated

Presents a conditional scenario using a passive voice construction.

if there is a repeat occurrence

Rephrases the condition using "repeat occurrence" for emphasis.

on the off chance it repeats

Introduces the condition with a more informal and less direct tone.

if the same situation arises

Substitutes "this" with a more descriptive "the same situation".

should a similar incident occur

Replaces "happens again" with "a similar incident occur" for a more formal tone.

FAQs

What does "if this happens again" mean?

The phrase "if this happens again" is a conditional statement indicating that a particular action will be taken or a specific consequence will follow should a situation repeat itself. It's used to set expectations or issue warnings.

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

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "should this recur" or "in the event of a recurrence".

Is it okay to start a sentence with "if this happens again"?

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to start a sentence with "if this happens again". Starting with a conditional clause is a common and grammatically sound way to structure sentences.

What are some less formal alternatives to "if this happens again"?

Less formal alternatives include "if it happens again", "if it repeats", or "if the same thing occurs".