if we can vs if can we

The correct phrase is "if we can." In English, the word order of conditional sentences is usually "if + subject + verb." The phrase "if can we" is not common or correct.

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Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: March 20, 2025 • 5125 views

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

"if we can"

The phrase "if we can" is the correct word order for conditional sentences in English. It follows the pattern of "if + subject + verb."

Examples:

If we can finish the project on time, we will celebrate.
If we can find a solution, we can move forward.
I wonder if we can make it to the meeting on time.
If we can get tickets, we'll go to the concert.
Let's see if we can solve this puzzle together.

Show examples from the web [+]
Last updated: November 25, 2024

What's the Point If We Can't Have Fun? ... My friend June Thunderstorm and I once spent a half an hour sitting in a meadow by a mountain lake, watching an ...
Jul 21, 2023 ... Question: If we can kill our enemies, but can't jack them off, how are we better than them? Screenshot · r/rickandmorty - Look at this mf face ...
Oct 18, 2022 ... The question is: “Our client wants to know if we can identify which operating system their provided machine is running on. Submit the OS name as the answer.”
Jul 17, 2024 ... The fic I'm looking for specifically is: "We're No Saviors (If We Can't Save Our Brothers) by manzanitaposts.
Sep 8, 2019 ... First of all, even if we can no longer hope to be saved from two degrees of warming, there's still a strong practical and ethical case for ...
Oct 23, 2024 ... We find out in 14 days if we can have steak or ramen noodles for dinner.
Jun 30, 2024 ... Does it really matter if we can't produce "virgin steel" anymore? In short, not half as much as people might have you believe. But that ...
Jun 22, 2012 ... (B) Let's see if we can't solve this problem. Assuming they mean the same thing, (A) seems more natural to me. I'm thrown off when the negation ...
Democracy, If We Can Keep It · Ellis Cose · A vivid work of history and journalism—the definitive story of the ACLU and an essential account of America's ...
Dec 31, 2007 ... The negative is redundant. Let's see if we can find something to throw away. We will go up to the loft and maybe we will find something to throw away.

This phrase is not correct in English. The word order for conditional sentences should be "if + subject + verb."

"if can we"

The phrase "if can we" is not a common or correct construction in English. The correct form is "if we can."

Show examples from the web [+]

I wonder if can we be assured that the Council of Ministers will look very carefully at this and be sure that it does not pose any threat to the development of digital radio in Europe.
If we can catch Magnum we might still have a chance.
If we can discuss this like civilized men.
If we can afford plane tickets.
Start with little to see if we can grow.
...and see if we can produce a magic flower.
And if we can manage to trust them...
If we can achieve that, if we can embed such simplified procedures into the everyday lives of businessmen, we will be making clear progress.
5% profit every month if we can show we go to the promised land.
You wonder, if we can survive if we avoid this battle?
We can see if we can find anyone to confirm her story.
And if we can, maybe we'll find some answers in there.
If we can access it we'll find and learn where they're keeping my father.
Because if we can, maybe we have a chance of actually discovering life somewhere else without being biased by things like amino acids.
Daniel Cohn-Bendit for the Greens warned that "democracy can never be guaranteed; only if we fight can we retain it".
If we can all come together before a judge, and if we can show a common cause...
If we can, we'll dial in and let you know.
If we can, we'll dial in and let you know.
See if we can squeeze anything out of that stone.
See if we can establish contact with the shooter.

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if we can vs if can we

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