[Grammar] Can we use "if only" with the "simple present"?

[Mike MC]

Is it correct:
If only I see him again. (= I hope I see him again.)

I can't find any example in my grammar references.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Is this correct?:
If only I see him again. (= I hope I see him again.)I can't find any example in my grammar references.

It's a useful phrase, but it's not a complete sentence.

To make it a full sentence, you can say, for example, I'll pay him back if only I see him again.

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

Thanks for the answer, but your example is more like "only if".

No, it's not.

Another example: If only I see him again, I'll be able tell him he was right.

But to answer the question in your subject line, yes, you can.

 

[Mike MC]

It's a useful phrase, but it's not a complete sentence.

To make it a full sentence, you can say, for example, I'll pay him back if only I see him again.

Thanks for the answer, but your example is more like "only if".

 

[Charlie Bernstein]

That doesn't strike me as very natural.

I agree. I wouldn't phrase it that way, either. But it does express a hope or wish, which is what Mike seems to be looking for. it does somewhat correspond with his "I hope to see him again."

And I think you'll agree that if only does not mean only if!

So, Mike, I was simply answering your question. But Piscean's phrasing is more natural.

 

[jutfrank]

To make it a full sentence, you can say, for example, I'll pay him back if only I see him again.

I'm certain that's not what Mike MC means. He's trying to use if only in the sense of longing. In this case, it seems to be a longing to do something in the future.

There are two ways I'd suggest to express this:

I long to see him again.
If only I could see him again.

My answer to the question of whether you can use present simple after if only is no.

 

[Mike MC]

That doesn't strike me as very natural. I'd say I'll pay him back if I (ever) I see him again.

If only functions for me in a similar way to I wish:

I wish we had more money. If only we had more money.
I wish he's stop drinking. If only he'd stop drinking.

So, my answer to Mikes question, "Can we use "if only" with the simple present?" is "Not normally".

I wonder what you think of the following:




Focus on Grammar, second edition