If so

Question

Is there anyone that want to help me? If so, what do you think about my idea?Is there anyone that want to help me? If yes, what do you think about my idea?Is 'if so' only used with positive sentences?

Clive · Accepted Answer

Hi,

Is there anyone that wants to help me? If so, what do you think about my idea? OK

Is there anyone that wants to help me? If 'yes', what do you think about my idea? OK in Casual English.

Is there anyone that wants to help me? If not, please leave.OK

Is 'if so' only used with positive sentences?
Do you like pizza? If so, stand up. OK
Don't you like pizza? If so, stand up. Not OK. This is confusing. Don't say it.

Clive

Grammarfreak · Answer

whatchadoinis there anyone that wantsto help me? If so, what do you think about my idea?

whatchadoin ,
I find your sentence rather arrogant in the way it comes across, especially the underlined part. . Where is your "please"?

whatchadoinIs 'if so' only used with positive sentences?

Not really. If so - is a phrase expression usually connected to a previously mentioned subject, typically a simple question, but it could also be a serious of simple yes/ no questions, not necessarily always positive though.
Ex: Do you feel frustrated, unhappy and unmotivated? If so, you may be among the millions suffering from chronic depression.

Clive · Answer

Hi,

In terms of grammar, I wouldn't consider eg Do you feel unhappy? a negative sentence, although in terms of meaning 'unhappiness' is of course considered a negative feeling.
Negative grammar would be eg Don't you feel happy?

Do you feel unhappy? If so, . . . sounds fine.

Don't you feel happy? If so, . . . sounds wrong.

Clive

If so

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