How to use "if you will"

What is the proper way to use if you will? Here is an example.

It's like riding a car, if you will.

Is the punctuation right?

Solution 1:

Yes, that punctuation is correct.

If you will can be considered short for "if you will allow this analogy", which is the usage in your car example.

I once rode on the back of a camel. It's like riding a car, if you will permit the analogy.

As Elendil says it can also mean "if you want to".

Imagine, if you like, a typical silversmith's shop.

Solution 2:

Yes, that seems good to me. The New Oxford American Dictionary has this example: “imagine, if you will, a typical silversmith's shop”.

Solution 3:

The punctuation is correct in your example but the usage is perhaps a little off.

'If you will' is short for 'if you will it', or 'if you want to'.

Therefore FX_'s example is saying:

'Imagine, if you want to, a typical silversmith's shop.

It can also be read as asking the reader to make a concession to what you are saying:

'The man was Australian, from 'Down Under', if you will.

Here you are 'asking' the reader to accept the use of 'Down Under'.