English Vocabulary

Common Differences Between When and If

Use ‘when’ when you are certain that something will happen.

• I will see you at Easter when I am at my cousin’s place. (I am certain that I will be at my cousin’s place.)

Use ‘if’ when you are unsure whether something will happen or not.

• I will see you in December if I come to Mumbai. (Perhaps I will come to Mumbai, perhaps not)

To talk about predictable situations, both when and if can be used with little difference of meaning.

• When you heat ice it melts.
• If you heat ice it melts.

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