“If” means the action or event may or may not happen, while “when” means the action or even will happen with certainty.
If
“If” implies uncertainty and unpredictability. In the following example sentences, the writer of sentences is unsure if the “if” clause will come true or not. “If” statements are used for hypothetical or conditional statements about the future or an alternate past or present.
Example sentences
If you end up buying that sports car, you will have to pay high auto insurance fees each month.
If he passes the test, he will be able to get his license.
I will only go to the party if you go.
If I decide to buy the insurance, I will let you know.
If it rains tomorrow, the match will be canceled and rescheduled to another day.
The restaurant will close down if the pandemic continues.
When
“When” implies certainty and inevitability. The following sample sentences express that the “when” clause will indeed come true in the future or has already occurred in the past.
Example sentences
When I come back to town, let’s grab some coffee.
When my father has something clever to say to my mother, he always gives me a mischievous look.
Let me know when you get here.
You will get an email when your application has been processed.
When are you going to have the baby shower?
When our dog’s fur gets too long, we take him to the groomer.
Suppose you were unsure about whether you will go out to eat. Would you use “if” or “when” in the following sentence:
(If/When) I go out to eat, I will feed my cat before leaving the house.
If you guessed “if,” then you are correct. You are not sure if you will eat out or not, so you would use “if” instead of “when,” which is used in more certain situations.
What about the following sentence? Say you have no doubt that you will walk your dog tomorrow morning. Would you use “if” or “when” in this sentence:
(If/When) I walk the dog tomorrow morning, I will be sure to take bags for her dung.
If you guessed “when,” then you are right. You are expecting with certainty that you will indeed walk your dog, so “when” is correct as opposed to the conditional “if.”
Now, what if you were asking someone a hypothetical question? Would you use “if” or “when”?
(If/When) you could be reborn, what animal would you want to be?
If you guessed “if,” then you are correct. This is a supposed and made-up situation in which you are born again. Hence, you would use the hypothetical “if” instead of “when.”
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