“If Not” – Meaning & Proper Usage (Helpful Examples)

Different English phrases do not always mean or imply the same thing. Sometimes, the same set of words can mean entirely different things in different contexts. Take ‘if not’ for example. What can it mean and imply in different contexts? Well, let’s see and find out!

What Does ‘If Not’ Mean?

‘If not’ is a phrase that has different implications, depending on how it is used in the sentence. ‘If not’ can mean ‘quite possibly,’ ‘even if one is not’ or as a way to introduce an alternative in case something does not happen.

‘If Not’ Meaning ‘Quite Possibly’

‘If not’ can be interpreted as something like ‘quite possibly.’ Most of the time, we use it when referring to a distinction that someone deserves, assuming that distinction can even quite possibly be a bigger one. It’s like saying ‘He deserves a distinction, quite possibly an even bigger one.’

Take a look at the examples below.

• He’s the fastest runner on the team, if not among all the players.

In the sentence above, ‘if not’ implies that if he is not established as the fastest among all the players, he’s definitely the fastest runner among the players in his team. Or, it means that he’s definitely the fastest runner on the team, quite possibly the fastest runner among all players.

Here are other ways to word the same thought.

• He’s definitely the fastest runner on the team, maybe even the fasted among all the players.
• If he’s not the fastest runner among all the players, he’s definitely the fastest runner on the team.

The sentences above mean just the same as the sentence that uses ‘if not.’ In this sense, ‘if not’ means ‘quite possibly’ or ‘if the person isn’t already established as.’

This context of ‘if not’ doesn’t work with just distinctions, though. Generally, ‘if not’ here means something like, ‘a person is this, or quite possibly something of a higher degree.’

‘If Not’ Meaning ‘Quite Possibly’ – Examples

Below are examples of how to use ‘if not’ in a sentence where ‘if not’ means ‘quite possibly.’

• BTS is the biggest name in Korea, if not the world right now.
• Alternative: BTS is the biggest name in Korea, quite possibly the world right now.

• Maya feels thrilled, if not elated, about the project.
• Alternative: Maya feels thrilled, quite possibly elated, about the project.

• Henry’s the smartest in his whole class, if not the whole school.
• Alternative: Henry’s the smartest in his whole class, quite possibly the whole school

• Justin said he got lost, if not stuck at an unknown place.
• Alternative: Justin said he got lost, quite possibly stuck in an unknown place.

‘If Not’ Meaning ‘Even if One is Not’ or ‘Not Quite’

‘If not’ in a different context can mean something like ‘even if one is not’ or ‘one is not quite.’ Most of the time, we use ‘if not’ to say something like, ‘even if one or something is not quite A, the person or thing is B.’

Take a look at the examples below.

• He’s a nice friend, if not a diligent student.
• The show was boring, if not empty.

The two sentences above show ‘if not’ in similar implications. In the first sentence, ‘if not’ implies that ‘even if the person is not a diligent student, he’s a nice friend.’

On the other hand, ‘if not’ in the second sentence implies that ‘the show was not quite empty, but the show was boring.’

Here are other ways to rephrase a similar thought.

1. He’s a nice friend, even if he is not a diligent student.
2. The show was boring, but not quite empty.

The sentences above mean the same as the original sentences that use ‘if not.’ In these contexts, ‘if not’ means something like ‘even if it is not’ or ‘is not quite.’

‘If Not’ Meaning ‘Even if One is Not’ or ‘Not Quite’ – Examples

Below are examples of how to use ‘if not’ in a sentence where ‘if not’ means ‘even if one is not’ or ‘is not quite.’

• The seminar was long, if not useless.
• Alternative: The seminar was long, but not quite useless.

• Gray is smart, if not a hard worker.
• Alternative: Gray is smart, even if he is not a hard worker.

• The study materials were interesting, if not organized.
• Alternative: The study materials were interesting, but not quite organized.

• Maya always gives her best, if not talented.
• Alternative: Maya always gives her best, even if she is not talented.

• The movie was well-made, if not the best.
• Alternative: The movie was well made, but not quite the best.

‘If Not’ Meaning ‘An Alternative If Something Does Not Happen’

Another common meaning or application of ‘if not’ is when we use it to indicate an alternative action or what the situation would be if something we expected to happen did not happen. It’s like saying, ‘Our plan A is this. If that does not happen, this is plan B.’

Take a look at the example below.

• Wait for me until 7 pm. If not, I’ll call you and inform you what time I’ll arrive.

In the sentence above, ‘if not’ implies that ‘one is supposed to wait for the person until 7 pm. However, if that does not happen or if the person does not arrive by 7 pm, the plan B is that the person will call and inform the other person what time they will arrive.’

Here’s another way to express the same thought.

• If I don’t arrive by 7 pm, I’ll call you and inform you what time I’ll arrive instead.

From here, it’s clear that Plan A is waiting until 7 pm, while Plan B is waiting for the call to know what time the person will arrive. So, in this sense, ‘if not’ expresses what the situation will be if something that’s supposed to happen does not happen. Alternatively, it’s saying ‘Our plan A is this. If that does not happen, this is plan B.’

‘If Not’ Meaning ‘An Alternative If Something Does Not Happen’ – Examples

Below are examples of how to use ‘if not’ in a sentence where ‘if not’ shows the alternative action when something does not happen.

1. Let’s meet in the lobby. If not, I’ll be in the office on the 6th floor.
2. I’ll eat later. If not, I’ll just order delivery.
3. I hope to see you later. If not, I’ll call you.
4. I’ll play two games. If not, I’ll play one only.
5. Let’s start the meeting at 6 pm, but if not, earlier.

How to Use ‘If Not’ In the Middle of a Sentence

We can use ‘if not’ comfortably in the middle of a sentence by adding a comma (,) before using it. An example is saying ‘The lecture was boring, if not nonsense.’ Here, we put a comma after the first clause ‘the lecture was boring’ and before using ‘if not.’

Below are other examples of using ‘if not’ in the middle of a sentence.

1. I am diligent, if not smart.
2. She’s the best artist from our school, if not among all the contestants.
3. Brent is the best chef in the restaurant, if not among all the chefs in the company’s group of restaurants.

Can You Start a Sentence With ‘If Not?’

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with ‘if not.’ Mostly, we use this format when using ‘if not’ to express an alternative action or situation if something we expect to happen does not happen. It’s like, ‘This is Idea A. If not, this is Idea B.’

Below are other examples of starting a sentence with ‘if not.’

1. I’ll be there by 6. If not, I’ll call you.
2. I’ll wait for you at the park. If not, call me where you want to meet.
3. I can adjust my schedule. If not, we can also meet another day.

Do You Use A Comma After ‘If Not?’

We use a comma with ‘if not’ but not necessarily after it. When using ‘if not’ in the middle of a sentence, we use the comma before it. On the other hand, when we start a sentence with ‘if not,’ we always use a comma after it.

Take a look at the example below.

• Brian is a bookworm, if not academically excelling.

In the sentence above, we use ‘if not’ in the middle of the sentence. Thus, we put a comma before ‘if not’ but not after it.

• I’ll arrive at 8 pm. If not, you can order first and wait for me.

On the other hand, in the sentence above, we use ‘if not’ as the start of the sentence. Here, we put a comma after ‘if not.’

If Not vs. If It Is Not

‘If not’ can mean different things in different contexts. It can mean ‘quite possibly,’ or ‘not quite,’ among others. ‘If it is not’ is used specifically when a particular thing has not or is not [something]. Sometimes, ‘if not’ acts as a shorter version of ‘if it is not.’

‘If not’ can mean ‘quite possibly,’ ‘even if one is not,’ or ‘not quite,’ and can even be a way to express an alternate situation if something does not happen.

On the other hand, ‘if it is not’ is more specific in expressing that a particular thing has not or is not [something].

Take a look at the example below.

• The package was sent out for delivery. If it is not received in a few hours, please contact us.
• The package was sent out for delivery. If not received in a few hours, please contact us.

In the first sentence above, ‘if it is not’ expresses that if the package is not received, the person should contact the seller. The second sentence is a special case use of ‘if not’ wherein it becomes a shorter version of ‘if it is not.’ This is only used in specific contexts like when putting out a notice like the given example.

In the given context, however, ‘if it is not’ is more grammatically correct and appropriate. It’s best to use ‘if not’ for its other uses and functions like that of expressing ‘quite possibly,’ etc.

If Not vs. If No

We use ‘if no’ only if the context or question is answerable by ‘yes’ or ‘no’ in which we refer to ‘no’ as actually saying ‘no.’ On the other hand, ‘if not’ can mean different things in different contexts. It can mean ‘quite possibly,’ or ‘not quite,’ among others.

Take a look at the example below.

• Will you go with us? If [the answer is] no, we’ll get going now.
• Will you go with us? If not, we’ll get going now.

In the first sentence, saying ‘If the answer is no’ means that the person answers or says ‘no,’ and in this case, we use ‘if no’ since we’re referring to the actual word ‘no.’

On the other hand, the second sentence with ‘if not’ implies an alternative situation if the person does not happen to go with them. In other words, this is, ‘If you will not go with us, we’ll get going now.’ Here, because we do not refer to the actual word ‘no,’ we use ‘if not’ and not ‘if no.’