if anything to go by

[Gość: Masud]

Hi Jon, Can you explain me when someone say "if anything to go by"
before or after their original sentences as I heard this expression
couple of times.

Thanks

[jonathan.oakley]

Hi Masud,
We use this phrase as a comparitive. For example, 'We won't have
much sun this summer if last year is anything to go by,' or 'she
will quit her job in 3 months if her last employment is anything to
go by.'

Thanks for your question. :)

[emu4]

I still don't understand it completely.

Does it mean more or less talking about the future situation and comparing it to
the similar situation from the past, predicting that the past situation will be
REPEATED?

She quit her last job, so she will quit this one, too?
It will be cloudy 'cos it was last year?

I compare the future to the past assuming, IT WILL BE THE SAME?

as if (the past situation/occurence) is anything to go by.. ?

Thank you.

Iza

[jonathan.oakley]

yes...you've hit the nail on the head (to say something exactly to
the point)! To have 'anything to go by' you have to have a past
experience to form a comparitive with a speculative future..

~The secret of success is constancy to purpose~