If

This, adapted from Wikipedia’s article on “Conditional (computer programming)” works equally well for the legal if:

{{{1}}}

It is to just this kind of simplicity and functional clarity that a legal contract ought to aspire. But heres the difference: A computer coder depends on a dumb client to faithfully interpret and flawlessly implement his code. If it doesn’t, his programme won’t work. A lawyer relies on his dumb client to come back to him and ask him what it all means.

So the diligent lawyer writes not with clarity and simplicity, but densely and with flannel. The most basic of operators - if - he renders as “in the event that. A single conjunction replaced by a preposition, a definite article, a noun and a different conjunction.

Plain English Anatomy™ Noun | Verb | Adjective | Adverb | Preposition | Conjunction | Latin | Germany | Flannel | Legal triplicate | Nominalisation | Murder your darlings