if you will

English as a Second Language English Teacher Explanations (ESL Tests)
1

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #380 [color=blue]“English Slang Idioms (101)”, question 4

“Let’s just assume, for the purpose of this conversation, if you …, that Mr. Jones did rob the store,” the defense attorney said before starting his argument.

(a) want
(b) will
(c) well
(d) choose

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #380 [color=blue]“English Slang Idioms (101)”, answer 4

“Let’s just assume, for the purpose of this conversation, if you will, that Mr. Jones did rob the store,” the defense attorney said before starting his argument.

Correct answer: (b) will

Your answer was: [color=green]correct
[size=200]_________________________[/size]

Hi! What is the meaning of “if you will”? Thank you in advance!

2

Here ‘if you will’ means “If you would agree to assume this”.

3

Hi,

In this context ‘if you will’ is an expression of little meaning and has the same significance as ‘if you like’ ‘let’s say’ ‘for the sake of argument’ ‘for instance’ and so on.

Alan