ONLY IF
Only if can be used to connect the main clauseA group of related words containing a subject and a verb. and the if-clause to express a more restrictive condition.
Acetaminophen is dangerous to kids only if dosage is too high.
It is possible in all types of conditionals. Note that if the sentence starts with the condition, the main clauseA clause that could be a sentence in itself. E.g.: I wouldn’t go there if I were you. ("I wouldn't go there") When I arrived he was surfing. ("he was surfing") is invertA structure in which a verb or an auxiliary precedes the subject. E.g.: "Here comes the sun."ed.
Only if you really like Mozart is it worth coming tonight.
Only if "only if" is at the beginning of the sentence will we use inversion in the main clause.
Only if you enjoy walking on the ocean floor should you come to our summer camp.
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Comments and questions
subject and verb inversion
If you begin with a sentence with "only if" and place a comma, can you leave the main clauseA clause that could be a sentence in itself. E.g.: I wouldn’t go there if I were you. ("I wouldn't go there") When I arrived he was surfing. ("he was surfing") as is and NOT invertA structure in which a verb or an auxiliary precedes the subject. E.g.: "Here comes the sun." subjectThe person or thing that performs the action of a verb or that is described by a verb. E.g.: Andy has never been to Brunei. ("Andy")-verbA part of speech that expresses an action or a state. E.g.: John seldom plays tennis.?
Is subject-verb inversion OBLIGATORY if you begin the sentence with Only if?
--> Only if it rains, we will cancel the trip. If I put a comma, is this sentence correct, or does the main clause ALWAYS have to be inverted? (Only if it rains (no comma) will we cancel the trip.)
If you start with Only if,
If you start with Only if, you follow with inversionA structure in which a verb or an auxiliary precedes the subject. E.g.: "Here comes the sun.", with no commas. Check this page for more examples:
http://www.grammaring.com/only-after-only-if-only-in-this-way-etc-not-until
You might be mixing it up with something else, though:
If only I could talk to her, I would explain everything.
In this sentence If only (and not Only if!) means I wish. You can find more about this here:
http://www.grammaring.com/wish-if-only
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