除了"but"从句，很多学英语的人还会过多使用"if … then"或是"if"从句。这些从句本身并不是不好。但我们这里讨论的是多样性及其必要性。看看下例：

Before: If you fail to pass the drug test, we will have to dismiss you from your job.

After: Failure to pass the drug test will result in job dismissal.

修改后的句子语气显得稍强一些。同时因为句中省掉了"you"，使句子在语气上减少了对抗性。这个解题对策适用于每种人称，不单单指"you"。

Plain: If one imitates, one cannot expect to be great.

Interesting: No person ever yet became great by imitation.

Plain: If we want to end a war quickly, we must lose it.

Interesting: The quickest way to end a war is to lose it.

Plain: If we were directed from government bureaucracy when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread.

Interesting: Were we directed from government bureaucracy when to sow, and when to reap, we should soon want bread.

Plain: Several staff members have checked the manuscript to see if it is accurate and easy to use.

Interesting: Several staff members have checked the manuscript for accuracy and ease of use.

Plain: If words are taken out of context, they are not very likely to mean the same as they do when they are in context.

Interesting: Words taken out of context do not always mean what they do in context.