If is a conditional - if A occurs, B will happen. If you don't hurry, you will miss the train. If you open the window I will get cold. If you are not careful you will slip on the ice. What if is used to propose a scenario, which may, or may not be realistic. What if money grew on trees? What if we all go to the beach on the weekend?

If = 1. introducing a conditional clause. 2. despite the possibility that; no matter whether. So examples: 1. "if the rain holds out, we can walk" 2. "if it takes me seven years, I shall do it" And what if is mainly the beginning to a question. What if means a question that asks someone to imagine what might happen or what might have happened.

Hello Zoooooooo! I'm not quite sure as to what you mean but here are some examples: What if unicorns existed? If you annoy me again I will be angry! hope this helps I don't know how to explain it but yes there is in fact a difference! By the way: I have used both in essays and everything was fine :)