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

Sébastien Vaniček, a French filmmaker of vigor if not vibrancy, is the fourth director to pick up the series, now on its sixth installment. — Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2026

The Smithville native suffered a fracture in May that, if not handled properly, could have changed his life forever. — Latif Love july 9, Kansas City Star, 9 July 2026

And, really, what is the American Dream if not a nostalgic song sung in reverse? — Nathan King, airmail.news, 9 July 2026

Since half life of radioactive isotopes can run into few decades, if not centuries, a nuclear battery can remain active for much longer than its chemical counterparts. — Ameya Paleja, Interesting Engineering, 8 July 2026

Rhymes for if not

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