| SIVE | Or if, whether |
| TRADE | Medicine or law or (if you're like me) puzzle making, e.g. |
| CYNICS | Those who question if something will happen or if it is worthwhile (6) |
| HORRIFIC | Rich, or if poor, frightful (8) |
| CONFIDE | Or if conned, maybe, without direction (7) |
| CONJUNCTION | Word such as and or if |
| POLITELY | With "please" or "if I may," say |
| POEM | "Trees" or "If" |
| VERIFICATION | Confirmation - or, if inactive, confusion |
| SEU | Or if, a disjunctive particle |
| BAR | What you are called to to become a barrister (or if you need a drink) |
| SOPORIFIC | So quiet or, if in charge, sleep inducing (9) |
| WORDPLAY | ...or, if a letter is nudged over, a hint to the contest answer |
| HONORIFIC | Name used in House, or if one Conservative is expressing respect |
| PARAPHRASES | Puts in other words, or, if read as three pieces, a hint to the starred answers |
| ATAPINCH | In an emergency or if necessary? (2,1,5) |
| AFORTIORI | With greater reason, or if ratio is wrong (1,8) |
| BRADS | Fasteners ... or, if you change the fourth letter to an S, what the fasteners might be made of |
| RAFTSMAN | River worker ... or, if "C" is added, trade worker |
| NOTNOW | "I'm busy!" ... or, if read in four pieces, an aid in solving several clues here |
