How is “iff” different from “if”












2














So I just discovered iff thinking it was a typo. But after looking it up and reading other answers on here it is a valid contraction of words if and only if. Much like XOR in a mathematical domain.



How is if and only if different from if when used in a sentance?



Does if not already imply a condition that must be met before fulfilling some clause. It's like without iff regular if implied if or maybe.



Similar to XOR I would assume this word/representation be reserved for logical expression. However dictionary.com is giving examples of use in English:




I could like her better, iff she was better to my young lady.



Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9) Samuel Richardson







terminology parts-of-speech contractions







share|improve this question


















  • 3




    Note that iff is only a "valid contraction" in specialized contexts such as philosophy and computer programming. Just because a word is in the dictionary does not mean it is commonly used or widely understood. I have never come across iff in a newspaper that I can remember. Secondly, why if and iff are not equivalent is a matter of logic, not English. If it rains, the road will be wet is different from Iff it rains, the road will be wet, because in the former, the road could also be wet from lawn sprinklers.
    – choster
    Dec 20 at 23:21










  • I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about a logical formulation, and not about the English language.
    – choster
    Dec 20 at 23:39










  • @choster Maybe but it could be good for other programmers to reference. Some people seem to think it is a real word. As does dictionary.com. I got into confusion in a pull request as a maintainer believes this is a real word and is using it in general documentation. Which lead me down this rabbit hole to clarify.
    – Lex
    Dec 20 at 23:44












  • I'm hardly saying it isn't a "real" word. I'm saying that ordinary people do not have a need for it. Whether it is appropriate or not for your documentation depends on who is going to be reading that documentation.
    – choster
    Dec 21 at 0:01










  • @choster From wikipedia """"...often, mathematical definitions follow the special convention that "if" is interpreted to mean "if and only if" """. So its use really seems reserved for logical statements x = y iff A ~ B outside of this I think if should be used. In my case "Returns true iff key is in s" this is english and iff reads as a typo. You'd be better off with => true iff s[key
    – Lex
    Dec 21 at 0:19


















2














So I just discovered iff thinking it was a typo. But after looking it up and reading other answers on here it is a valid contraction of words if and only if. Much like XOR in a mathematical domain.



How is if and only if different from if when used in a sentance?



Does if not already imply a condition that must be met before fulfilling some clause. It's like without iff regular if implied if or maybe.



Similar to XOR I would assume this word/representation be reserved for logical expression. However dictionary.com is giving examples of use in English:




I could like her better, iff she was better to my young lady.



Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9) Samuel Richardson







terminology parts-of-speech contractions







share|improve this question


















  • 3




    Note that iff is only a "valid contraction" in specialized contexts such as philosophy and computer programming. Just because a word is in the dictionary does not mean it is commonly used or widely understood. I have never come across iff in a newspaper that I can remember. Secondly, why if and iff are not equivalent is a matter of logic, not English. If it rains, the road will be wet is different from Iff it rains, the road will be wet, because in the former, the road could also be wet from lawn sprinklers.
    – choster
    Dec 20 at 23:21










  • I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about a logical formulation, and not about the English language.
    – choster
    Dec 20 at 23:39










  • @choster Maybe but it could be good for other programmers to reference. Some people seem to think it is a real word. As does dictionary.com. I got into confusion in a pull request as a maintainer believes this is a real word and is using it in general documentation. Which lead me down this rabbit hole to clarify.
    – Lex
    Dec 20 at 23:44












  • I'm hardly saying it isn't a "real" word. I'm saying that ordinary people do not have a need for it. Whether it is appropriate or not for your documentation depends on who is going to be reading that documentation.
    – choster
    Dec 21 at 0:01










  • @choster From wikipedia """"...often, mathematical definitions follow the special convention that "if" is interpreted to mean "if and only if" """. So its use really seems reserved for logical statements x = y iff A ~ B outside of this I think if should be used. In my case "Returns true iff key is in s" this is english and iff reads as a typo. You'd be better off with => true iff s[key
    – Lex
    Dec 21 at 0:19
















2












2








2







So I just discovered iff thinking it was a typo. But after looking it up and reading other answers on here it is a valid contraction of words if and only if. Much like XOR in a mathematical domain.



How is if and only if different from if when used in a sentance?



Does if not already imply a condition that must be met before fulfilling some clause. It's like without iff regular if implied if or maybe.



Similar to XOR I would assume this word/representation be reserved for logical expression. However dictionary.com is giving examples of use in English:




I could like her better, iff she was better to my young lady.



Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9) Samuel Richardson







terminology parts-of-speech contractions







share|improve this question













So I just discovered iff thinking it was a typo. But after looking it up and reading other answers on here it is a valid contraction of words if and only if. Much like XOR in a mathematical domain.



How is if and only if different from if when used in a sentance?



Does if not already imply a condition that must be met before fulfilling some clause. It's like without iff regular if implied if or maybe.



Similar to XOR I would assume this word/representation be reserved for logical expression. However dictionary.com is giving examples of use in English:




I could like her better, iff she was better to my young lady.



Clarissa, Volume 3 (of 9) Samuel Richardson







terminology parts-of-speech contractions




terminology parts-of-speech contractions






share|improve this question













share|improve this question











share|improve this question




share|improve this question










asked Dec 20 at 23:01









Lex

1285




1285








  • 3




    Note that iff is only a "valid contraction" in specialized contexts such as philosophy and computer programming. Just because a word is in the dictionary does not mean it is commonly used or widely understood. I have never come across iff in a newspaper that I can remember. Secondly, why if and iff are not equivalent is a matter of logic, not English. If it rains, the road will be wet is different from Iff it rains, the road will be wet, because in the former, the road could also be wet from lawn sprinklers.
    – choster
    Dec 20 at 23:21










  • I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about a logical formulation, and not about the English language.
    – choster
    Dec 20 at 23:39










  • @choster Maybe but it could be good for other programmers to reference. Some people seem to think it is a real word. As does dictionary.com. I got into confusion in a pull request as a maintainer believes this is a real word and is using it in general documentation. Which lead me down this rabbit hole to clarify.
    – Lex
    Dec 20 at 23:44












  • I'm hardly saying it isn't a "real" word. I'm saying that ordinary people do not have a need for it. Whether it is appropriate or not for your documentation depends on who is going to be reading that documentation.
    – choster
    Dec 21 at 0:01










  • @choster From wikipedia """"...often, mathematical definitions follow the special convention that "if" is interpreted to mean "if and only if" """. So its use really seems reserved for logical statements x = y iff A ~ B outside of this I think if should be used. In my case "Returns true iff key is in s" this is english and iff reads as a typo. You'd be better off with => true iff s[key
    – Lex
    Dec 21 at 0:19
















  • 3




    Note that iff is only a "valid contraction" in specialized contexts such as philosophy and computer programming. Just because a word is in the dictionary does not mean it is commonly used or widely understood. I have never come across iff in a newspaper that I can remember. Secondly, why if and iff are not equivalent is a matter of logic, not English. If it rains, the road will be wet is different from Iff it rains, the road will be wet, because in the former, the road could also be wet from lawn sprinklers.
    – choster
    Dec 20 at 23:21










  • I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about a logical formulation, and not about the English language.
    – choster
    Dec 20 at 23:39










  • @choster Maybe but it could be good for other programmers to reference. Some people seem to think it is a real word. As does dictionary.com. I got into confusion in a pull request as a maintainer believes this is a real word and is using it in general documentation. Which lead me down this rabbit hole to clarify.
    – Lex
    Dec 20 at 23:44












  • I'm hardly saying it isn't a "real" word. I'm saying that ordinary people do not have a need for it. Whether it is appropriate or not for your documentation depends on who is going to be reading that documentation.
    – choster
    Dec 21 at 0:01










  • @choster From wikipedia """"...often, mathematical definitions follow the special convention that "if" is interpreted to mean "if and only if" """. So its use really seems reserved for logical statements x = y iff A ~ B outside of this I think if should be used. In my case "Returns true iff key is in s" this is english and iff reads as a typo. You'd be better off with => true iff s[key
    – Lex
    Dec 21 at 0:19










3




3




Note that iff is only a "valid contraction" in specialized contexts such as philosophy and computer programming. Just because a word is in the dictionary does not mean it is commonly used or widely understood. I have never come across iff in a newspaper that I can remember. Secondly, why if and iff are not equivalent is a matter of logic, not English. If it rains, the road will be wet is different from Iff it rains, the road will be wet, because in the former, the road could also be wet from lawn sprinklers.
– choster
Dec 20 at 23:21




Note that iff is only a "valid contraction" in specialized contexts such as philosophy and computer programming. Just because a word is in the dictionary does not mean it is commonly used or widely understood. I have never come across iff in a newspaper that I can remember. Secondly, why if and iff are not equivalent is a matter of logic, not English. If it rains, the road will be wet is different from Iff it rains, the road will be wet, because in the former, the road could also be wet from lawn sprinklers.
– choster
Dec 20 at 23:21












I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about a logical formulation, and not about the English language.
– choster
Dec 20 at 23:39




I'm voting to close this question as off-topic because it is a question about a logical formulation, and not about the English language.
– choster
Dec 20 at 23:39












@choster Maybe but it could be good for other programmers to reference. Some people seem to think it is a real word. As does dictionary.com. I got into confusion in a pull request as a maintainer believes this is a real word and is using it in general documentation. Which lead me down this rabbit hole to clarify.
– Lex
Dec 20 at 23:44






@choster Maybe but it could be good for other programmers to reference. Some people seem to think it is a real word. As does dictionary.com. I got into confusion in a pull request as a maintainer believes this is a real word and is using it in general documentation. Which lead me down this rabbit hole to clarify.
– Lex
Dec 20 at 23:44














I'm hardly saying it isn't a "real" word. I'm saying that ordinary people do not have a need for it. Whether it is appropriate or not for your documentation depends on who is going to be reading that documentation.
– choster
Dec 21 at 0:01




I'm hardly saying it isn't a "real" word. I'm saying that ordinary people do not have a need for it. Whether it is appropriate or not for your documentation depends on who is going to be reading that documentation.
– choster
Dec 21 at 0:01












@choster From wikipedia """"...often, mathematical definitions follow the special convention that "if" is interpreted to mean "if and only if" """. So its use really seems reserved for logical statements x = y iff A ~ B outside of this I think if should be used. In my case "Returns true iff key is in s" this is english and iff reads as a typo. You'd be better off with => true iff s[key
– Lex
Dec 21 at 0:19






@choster From wikipedia """"...often, mathematical definitions follow the special convention that "if" is interpreted to mean "if and only if" """. So its use really seems reserved for logical statements x = y iff A ~ B outside of this I think if should be used. In my case "Returns true iff key is in s" this is english and iff reads as a typo. You'd be better off with => true iff s[key
– Lex
Dec 21 at 0:19












2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes


















7














I agree with your assumption and not with Dictionary.com. Like XOR, iff should only be used in a mathematical or philosophical context. In normal English prose, "iff" is not a word, it's a typo.



You cannot use the abbreviation "iff" in the body of a business letter, or a newspaper article, or a history textbook. iff is not really a contraction. Unlike can't, which you'd pronounce kant, when reading iff aloud, you would not pronounce it if (or iffff), you would say, "if and only if." This makes it a special kind of abbreviation, which can't be pronounced in its abbreviated form.



OK, so what does it mean in mathematics, or philosophy?



This Wikipedia article is pretty good: "If and only if"



Here's how they've contrasted if and only if from if and from only if:




"Madison will eat the fruit if it is an apple."



This states that Madison will eat fruits that are apples. It does not, however, exclude the possibility that Madison might also eat bananas or other types of fruit. All that is known for certain is that she will eat any and all apples that she happens upon. That the fruit is an apple is a sufficient condition for Madison to eat the fruit.




In other words, any time Madison encounters an apple, she will eat it. If she encounters a pear or a banana, we don't know what she will do.




"Madison will eat the fruit only if it is an apple."



This states that the only fruit Madison will eat is an apple. It does not, however, exclude the possibility that Madison will refuse an apple if it is made available, in contrast with (1), which requires Madison to eat any available apple. In this case, that a given fruit is an apple is a necessary condition for Madison to be eating it. It is not a sufficient condition since Madison might not eat all the apples she is given.




In other words, if Madison encounters a pear or a banana, she will definitely not eat it. If she encounters an apple, she may eat it, but she may not.




"Madison will eat the fruit if and only if it is an apple"



This statement makes it clear that Madison will eat all and only those fruits that are apples. She will not leave any apple uneaten, and she will not eat any other type of fruit. That a given fruit is an apple is both a necessary and a sufficient condition for Madison to eat the fruit.




In other words, if Madison encounters an apple, she will definitely eat it. If she encounters a pear or a banana, she definitely will not eat it.






share|improve this answer





























    2














    iff is used in mathematics to describe a logical if statement that is reversible. In other words "A iff B" means "if A then B" and "if B then A".



    For example, if "I have an umbrella" then "it is raining" does not necessarily imply that when it rains I have an umbrella, but when I have an umbrella it is definitely raining.



    However "I have an umbrella" iff "it is raining" means that I have an umbrella when it rains and when it rains I have an umbrella.






    share|improve this answer








    New contributor




    snibbets is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.














    • 1




      Welcome to EL&U! While you have written a good and extensive answer, it would be beneficial to provide sources.
      – A Lambent Eye
      Dec 21 at 8:19











    Your Answer








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    2 Answers
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    2 Answers
    2






    active

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    active

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    active

    oldest

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    7














    I agree with your assumption and not with Dictionary.com. Like XOR, iff should only be used in a mathematical or philosophical context. In normal English prose, "iff" is not a word, it's a typo.



    You cannot use the abbreviation "iff" in the body of a business letter, or a newspaper article, or a history textbook. iff is not really a contraction. Unlike can't, which you'd pronounce kant, when reading iff aloud, you would not pronounce it if (or iffff), you would say, "if and only if." This makes it a special kind of abbreviation, which can't be pronounced in its abbreviated form.



    OK, so what does it mean in mathematics, or philosophy?



    This Wikipedia article is pretty good: "If and only if"



    Here's how they've contrasted if and only if from if and from only if:




    "Madison will eat the fruit if it is an apple."



    This states that Madison will eat fruits that are apples. It does not, however, exclude the possibility that Madison might also eat bananas or other types of fruit. All that is known for certain is that she will eat any and all apples that she happens upon. That the fruit is an apple is a sufficient condition for Madison to eat the fruit.




    In other words, any time Madison encounters an apple, she will eat it. If she encounters a pear or a banana, we don't know what she will do.




    "Madison will eat the fruit only if it is an apple."



    This states that the only fruit Madison will eat is an apple. It does not, however, exclude the possibility that Madison will refuse an apple if it is made available, in contrast with (1), which requires Madison to eat any available apple. In this case, that a given fruit is an apple is a necessary condition for Madison to be eating it. It is not a sufficient condition since Madison might not eat all the apples she is given.




    In other words, if Madison encounters a pear or a banana, she will definitely not eat it. If she encounters an apple, she may eat it, but she may not.




    "Madison will eat the fruit if and only if it is an apple"



    This statement makes it clear that Madison will eat all and only those fruits that are apples. She will not leave any apple uneaten, and she will not eat any other type of fruit. That a given fruit is an apple is both a necessary and a sufficient condition for Madison to eat the fruit.




    In other words, if Madison encounters an apple, she will definitely eat it. If she encounters a pear or a banana, she definitely will not eat it.






    share|improve this answer


























      7














      I agree with your assumption and not with Dictionary.com. Like XOR, iff should only be used in a mathematical or philosophical context. In normal English prose, "iff" is not a word, it's a typo.



      You cannot use the abbreviation "iff" in the body of a business letter, or a newspaper article, or a history textbook. iff is not really a contraction. Unlike can't, which you'd pronounce kant, when reading iff aloud, you would not pronounce it if (or iffff), you would say, "if and only if." This makes it a special kind of abbreviation, which can't be pronounced in its abbreviated form.



      OK, so what does it mean in mathematics, or philosophy?



      This Wikipedia article is pretty good: "If and only if"



      Here's how they've contrasted if and only if from if and from only if:




      "Madison will eat the fruit if it is an apple."



      This states that Madison will eat fruits that are apples. It does not, however, exclude the possibility that Madison might also eat bananas or other types of fruit. All that is known for certain is that she will eat any and all apples that she happens upon. That the fruit is an apple is a sufficient condition for Madison to eat the fruit.




      In other words, any time Madison encounters an apple, she will eat it. If she encounters a pear or a banana, we don't know what she will do.




      "Madison will eat the fruit only if it is an apple."



      This states that the only fruit Madison will eat is an apple. It does not, however, exclude the possibility that Madison will refuse an apple if it is made available, in contrast with (1), which requires Madison to eat any available apple. In this case, that a given fruit is an apple is a necessary condition for Madison to be eating it. It is not a sufficient condition since Madison might not eat all the apples she is given.




      In other words, if Madison encounters a pear or a banana, she will definitely not eat it. If she encounters an apple, she may eat it, but she may not.




      "Madison will eat the fruit if and only if it is an apple"



      This statement makes it clear that Madison will eat all and only those fruits that are apples. She will not leave any apple uneaten, and she will not eat any other type of fruit. That a given fruit is an apple is both a necessary and a sufficient condition for Madison to eat the fruit.




      In other words, if Madison encounters an apple, she will definitely eat it. If she encounters a pear or a banana, she definitely will not eat it.






      share|improve this answer
























        7












        7








        7






        I agree with your assumption and not with Dictionary.com. Like XOR, iff should only be used in a mathematical or philosophical context. In normal English prose, "iff" is not a word, it's a typo.



        You cannot use the abbreviation "iff" in the body of a business letter, or a newspaper article, or a history textbook. iff is not really a contraction. Unlike can't, which you'd pronounce kant, when reading iff aloud, you would not pronounce it if (or iffff), you would say, "if and only if." This makes it a special kind of abbreviation, which can't be pronounced in its abbreviated form.



        OK, so what does it mean in mathematics, or philosophy?



        This Wikipedia article is pretty good: "If and only if"



        Here's how they've contrasted if and only if from if and from only if:




        "Madison will eat the fruit if it is an apple."



        This states that Madison will eat fruits that are apples. It does not, however, exclude the possibility that Madison might also eat bananas or other types of fruit. All that is known for certain is that she will eat any and all apples that she happens upon. That the fruit is an apple is a sufficient condition for Madison to eat the fruit.




        In other words, any time Madison encounters an apple, she will eat it. If she encounters a pear or a banana, we don't know what she will do.




        "Madison will eat the fruit only if it is an apple."



        This states that the only fruit Madison will eat is an apple. It does not, however, exclude the possibility that Madison will refuse an apple if it is made available, in contrast with (1), which requires Madison to eat any available apple. In this case, that a given fruit is an apple is a necessary condition for Madison to be eating it. It is not a sufficient condition since Madison might not eat all the apples she is given.




        In other words, if Madison encounters a pear or a banana, she will definitely not eat it. If she encounters an apple, she may eat it, but she may not.




        "Madison will eat the fruit if and only if it is an apple"



        This statement makes it clear that Madison will eat all and only those fruits that are apples. She will not leave any apple uneaten, and she will not eat any other type of fruit. That a given fruit is an apple is both a necessary and a sufficient condition for Madison to eat the fruit.




        In other words, if Madison encounters an apple, she will definitely eat it. If she encounters a pear or a banana, she definitely will not eat it.






        share|improve this answer












        I agree with your assumption and not with Dictionary.com. Like XOR, iff should only be used in a mathematical or philosophical context. In normal English prose, "iff" is not a word, it's a typo.



        You cannot use the abbreviation "iff" in the body of a business letter, or a newspaper article, or a history textbook. iff is not really a contraction. Unlike can't, which you'd pronounce kant, when reading iff aloud, you would not pronounce it if (or iffff), you would say, "if and only if." This makes it a special kind of abbreviation, which can't be pronounced in its abbreviated form.



        OK, so what does it mean in mathematics, or philosophy?



        This Wikipedia article is pretty good: "If and only if"



        Here's how they've contrasted if and only if from if and from only if:




        "Madison will eat the fruit if it is an apple."



        This states that Madison will eat fruits that are apples. It does not, however, exclude the possibility that Madison might also eat bananas or other types of fruit. All that is known for certain is that she will eat any and all apples that she happens upon. That the fruit is an apple is a sufficient condition for Madison to eat the fruit.




        In other words, any time Madison encounters an apple, she will eat it. If she encounters a pear or a banana, we don't know what she will do.




        "Madison will eat the fruit only if it is an apple."



        This states that the only fruit Madison will eat is an apple. It does not, however, exclude the possibility that Madison will refuse an apple if it is made available, in contrast with (1), which requires Madison to eat any available apple. In this case, that a given fruit is an apple is a necessary condition for Madison to be eating it. It is not a sufficient condition since Madison might not eat all the apples she is given.




        In other words, if Madison encounters a pear or a banana, she will definitely not eat it. If she encounters an apple, she may eat it, but she may not.




        "Madison will eat the fruit if and only if it is an apple"



        This statement makes it clear that Madison will eat all and only those fruits that are apples. She will not leave any apple uneaten, and she will not eat any other type of fruit. That a given fruit is an apple is both a necessary and a sufficient condition for Madison to eat the fruit.




        In other words, if Madison encounters an apple, she will definitely eat it. If she encounters a pear or a banana, she definitely will not eat it.







        share|improve this answer












        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer










        answered Dec 20 at 23:24









        Juhasz

        88215




        88215

























            2














            iff is used in mathematics to describe a logical if statement that is reversible. In other words "A iff B" means "if A then B" and "if B then A".



            For example, if "I have an umbrella" then "it is raining" does not necessarily imply that when it rains I have an umbrella, but when I have an umbrella it is definitely raining.



            However "I have an umbrella" iff "it is raining" means that I have an umbrella when it rains and when it rains I have an umbrella.






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            snibbets is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.














            • 1




              Welcome to EL&U! While you have written a good and extensive answer, it would be beneficial to provide sources.
              – A Lambent Eye
              Dec 21 at 8:19
















            2














            iff is used in mathematics to describe a logical if statement that is reversible. In other words "A iff B" means "if A then B" and "if B then A".



            For example, if "I have an umbrella" then "it is raining" does not necessarily imply that when it rains I have an umbrella, but when I have an umbrella it is definitely raining.



            However "I have an umbrella" iff "it is raining" means that I have an umbrella when it rains and when it rains I have an umbrella.






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            snibbets is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.














            • 1




              Welcome to EL&U! While you have written a good and extensive answer, it would be beneficial to provide sources.
              – A Lambent Eye
              Dec 21 at 8:19














            2












            2








            2






            iff is used in mathematics to describe a logical if statement that is reversible. In other words "A iff B" means "if A then B" and "if B then A".



            For example, if "I have an umbrella" then "it is raining" does not necessarily imply that when it rains I have an umbrella, but when I have an umbrella it is definitely raining.



            However "I have an umbrella" iff "it is raining" means that I have an umbrella when it rains and when it rains I have an umbrella.






            share|improve this answer








            New contributor




            snibbets is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
            Check out our Code of Conduct.









            iff is used in mathematics to describe a logical if statement that is reversible. In other words "A iff B" means "if A then B" and "if B then A".



            For example, if "I have an umbrella" then "it is raining" does not necessarily imply that when it rains I have an umbrella, but when I have an umbrella it is definitely raining.



            However "I have an umbrella" iff "it is raining" means that I have an umbrella when it rains and when it rains I have an umbrella.







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            answered Dec 21 at 6:22









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              Welcome to EL&U! While you have written a good and extensive answer, it would be beneficial to provide sources.
              – A Lambent Eye
              Dec 21 at 8:19














            • 1




              Welcome to EL&U! While you have written a good and extensive answer, it would be beneficial to provide sources.
              – A Lambent Eye
              Dec 21 at 8:19








            1




            1




            Welcome to EL&U! While you have written a good and extensive answer, it would be beneficial to provide sources.
            – A Lambent Eye
            Dec 21 at 8:19




            Welcome to EL&U! While you have written a good and extensive answer, it would be beneficial to provide sources.
            – A Lambent Eye
            Dec 21 at 8:19


















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