Let Roy explain the difference between ‘when’ and ‘if’. Find out in our 60 second English lesson.
Roy
Hi, I’m Roy and today I’m going to tell you the difference between when and if.
Firstly, you can use when or if with the present simple when it is a fact, or a repeated action.
If or when you put water in the freezer, it becomes ice.
We use if for unknown or possible situations
If it rains today, I’ll take my umbrella.
We use when to say we are certain something is going to happen in the future.
When I go home, I’ll watch a film.
Compare these two sentences:
If I eat breakfast today, I’ll have toast.
I might not eat breakfast
When I eat breakfast today, I’ll have toast.
I will eat breakfast
Anyway, that’s everything for today. I’ve got go because I’m hungry. If I don’t eat breakfast, I get grumpy.
Bye.
When vs If
You can use when or if with the present simple when it is a fact, or a repeated action.
- When I go home, I have dinner.
- If I go home, I have dinner.
We use if for unknown or possible situations
- If it snows this year, I’ll go skiing.
- If I see your dad, I’ll say hello.
We use when to say we are certain something is going to happen in the future.
- When I graduate, I’ll get a job.
- When I get home, I’ll watch a film.