除了"but"從句，很多學英語的人還會過多使用"if … then"或是"if"從句。這些從句本身并不是不好。但我們這里討論的是多樣性及其必要性。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.

修改后的句子語氣顯得稍強一些。同時因為句中省掉了"you"，使句子在語氣上減少了對抗性。這個解題對策適用于每種人稱，不單單指"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.