what if

See also what-if

English

Adverb

what if (not comparable)

1. Used to introduce a suggestion or proposal for a future event.

   What if we arrange it for 9:00 instead of 10:00?

2. Used to introduce a speculation about a future event.

   What if we could learn to get along? What would happen then?

3. Used to introduce a speculation about a past event. Often the basis for counterfactual historical interpretations.

   What if Abraham Lincoln had not been assassinated? How might the Reconstruction of the Southern States have been handled?

Synonyms

• (introducing a suggestion): how about

Translations

used to introduce suggestion

• Finnish: mitä jos (fi), entä jos (fi)

used to introduce speculation about future

• Finnish: mitä jos (fi), entä jos (fi)

• French: et si (fr)
• Portuguese: e se (pt)

used to introduce speculation about past

• Finnish: mitä jos (fi), entä jos (fi)