if not
344
2.9
- idiom
:
si no
- There are going to be dozens, if not hundreds of different varieties.
- difficult, if not impossible
- difficult, if not impossible
- if not more
But that's because they're serving hundreds, if not thousands of clients.
- But that's because they're serving hundreds, if not thousands of clients.
- I'm always singing so I should do good if not amazing.
- But I'm aware of quite a bit, if not most things.
- She is one of if not the greatest American judoka ever.
- And her brother is holding her and he's equally if not more angry.
- It will take me days if not weeks to recover.
- You're the same exact person, if not even better.
- There are now dozens, if not hundreds, and a lot of them have money.
- And, you know, I think everyone can relate to one of these, if not more than one, right?
- And we're seeing this unfold in the period of, of months, if not weeks.
- And also, some of it is coming from critics, if not outright opponents of the Epicurean tradition.
- Castle stressful Just, if not just for the schedule alone.
Examples
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You're the same exact person, if not even better.
-
I am nothing if not traditional.
-
This is definitely one of, if not my favorite application.
-
I could have saved myself hundreds if not thousands of pounds.
-
What are savings for, they ask, if not for needed care at the end of life?
Academic text (1990) -
Late Victorian trains in England were excellent for speed and reliability, if not for comfort.
Academic text (2008) -
Professional development is a topic that receives considerable discussion in most, if not all, educational areas.
Academic text (1999) -
It will take me days if not weeks to recover.
-
But that's because they're serving hundreds, if not thousands of clients.
-
This is definitely one of, if not my favorite applications.
Surface Forms
Morphology
The literal meanings of 'if' (introducing a condition) and 'not' (negation) do not directly yield the pragmatic use here — a discourse-level hedge that suggests a stronger alternative ("or even..."). Because some compositional logic (conditional + negation = alternative/contrast) is present but the specific pragmatic inference requires exposure to the idiomatic discourse pattern, it is not fully transparent to a B1 learner.
Etymology
If not may come from a simple speaking habit where a person first says something and then adds if and not to offer a stronger possible idea. So saying 'She is talented, if not a genius' signals 'possibly even' or 'more than that'.