if not

phrase

1

—used to talk about the negative result or effect of something

You should study. If not, you won't pass the test.

2

—used to express surprise about meeting someone when it is not expected

So I went to the game and who should I see there if not my old friend Tom!

Examples of if not in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Theoretical arguments suggest that a substantial part, if not all, of the randomness in the world is of quantum origin. — Philipp Strasberg, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

Michael Whatley, the state’s Republican Senate candidate, owes his nomination to Trump; the president continues to invest time, if not much cash, on his behalf. — Natalie Allison, Washington Post, 20 Oct. 2026

Pace said the majority of the incident, if not all, was captured on surveillance video. — Tom Ignudo, CBS News, 20 Oct. 2026

Chinese chipmakers remain about five years, if not more, behind their Western counterparts. — Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 19 Oct. 2026

Rhymes for if not

• allot
• barat
• begot
• besought
• bethought
• bloodshot
• boycott
• buckshot
• crackpot
• croat
• culottes
• dashpot