if not
Indicates that a statement is true in the event that a condition is not satisfiedIndicates that a statement is true in the event that a condition is not satisfied.
» Most, if not all, people enjoy eating.
Большинство людей, если не все, любят поесть.
Більшість людей, якщо не всі, полюбляють попоїсти.
Meaning
3 sensesIndicates that a statement is true in the event that a condition is not satisfied.
The plant will die if not watered.
Indicates that one statement at least is true, and possibly a second, stronger statement is true; perhaps even.
He did as well as expected, if not better.
Indicates that one statement is true, but a second is not; but not.
I saw that he had improved his manners if not his scruffy appearance.
е́сли неjésli ne
Examples
850 sentencesMost, if not all, people enjoy eating.
Більшість людей, якщо не всі, полюбляють попоїсти. — deniko
ruБольшинство людей, если не все, любят поесть. — marafon
If it's not one thing, it's another.
Як не срачка, то пердячка. — deniko
ruНе одно, так другое. — marafon
You're going to break it if you're not careful.
Ти зламаєш це, якщо не будеш обережною. — oromashka
ruВы его сломаете, если не будете осторожны. — marafon
I'd like to invite you to lunch, if you're not busy.
Я хотів би запросити вас на обід, якщо ви не зайняті. — deniko
If it were not for water, no one could live on earth.
Якби не було води, ніхто не жив би на Землі. — deniko
deOhne Wasser könnte niemand auf der Erde leben. — MUIRIEL