Meaning of if not | Babel Free

Definitions

1. Indicates that a statement is true in the event that a condition is not satisfied.
2. Indicates that one statement at least is true, and possibly a second, stronger statement is true; perhaps even.
3. Indicates that one statement is true, but a second is not; but not.

Equivalents

Examples

“The plant will die if not watered.”

“He did as well as expected, if not better.”

“People who talk about an imminent possibility of war seldom pose this question: What would North Korea’s leadership get from unleashing a war that they are likely to lose in weeks, if not days?”

“I saw that he had improved his manners if not his scruffy appearance.”

CEFR level