if only

si seulement

Exprime le souhait très fort qu’une chose soit différente maintenant ou dans l’avenir.

En anglais simple : Used to express a strong wish for something to be different now or in the future.

• If only I had more time!
• If only we could go tomorrow!
• If only you were here with us!

Comment l'utiliser : if only + past tense (If only I lived closer to you.); if only + could/would (If only the rain would stop.)

Synonymes : I wish

Expressions courantes : if only someone could, if only someone would

si seulement

Exprime un regret concernant quelque chose qui s’est produit ou ne s’est pas produit dans le passé.

En anglais simple : Used to express sadness about something that happened or did not happen in the past.

• If only I had stayed!
• If only we had brought an umbrella!
• If only she had told me sooner!

Comment l'utiliser : if only + had + past participle (If only I had checked the address.)

Synonymes : I wish

Expressions courantes : if only I had, if only we had

ne serait-ce que

Indique qu’une chose se produit, même pour un court moment ou dans une faible mesure.

En anglais simple : Used to say that something happens for only a short time or to a small degree.

• She smiled, if only briefly.
• The news brought relief, if only for a day.
• The treatment helped, if only slightly.

Comment l'utiliser : if only for + time period (The music helped, if only for a few minutes.)

Synonymes : even if just

Expressions courantes : if only briefly, if only slightly

ne serait-ce que pour

Présente une raison qui suffit à elle seule pour justifier une action.

En anglais simple : Used to give a reason that is enough by itself to justify doing something.

• Go, if only to say hello.
• I kept the letter, if only for its beautiful handwriting.
• She tried again, if only to prove she could.

Comment l'utiliser : if only to + verb (Read it, if only to check the dates.); if only for something (Go along, if only for the company.)

Synonymes : even just, at least

Expressions courantes : if only to check, if only for fun

si seulement

Présente une condition qu'on souhaite voir remplie pour permettre autre chose.

En anglais simple : Used to give a condition you wish were true, so that something else could happen.

• We could go if only we had a car.
• He would improve if only he practised more.
• The garden could thrive if only it rained.

Comment l'utiliser : result clause + if only + past tense (We could finish today if only everyone helped.); result clause + if only + would (The plan could work if only they would listen.)

Synonymes : if just

Expressions courantes : if only someone tried, if only someone helped