if not for
idiom
: in the absence of (something or someone) : without
If not for modern medicine, fewer babies would survive.
If not for him, I wouldn't be where I am today.
Examples of if not for in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The damning evidence against Trump would not exist if not for his rift with Mark Milley, a remarkable feud between the Commander-in-Chief and the nation’s top general that had been a secret backdrop to the public drama that played out after the 2020 election.
—
Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 28 June 2023
Would shows like Stranger Things, Westworld, The Mandalorian and The Boys have netted their drama series noms if not for Thrones?
—Esther Zuckerman, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 June 2023
Larson has notched two victories and probably should have had more if not for some unfortunate bad luck – an untimely caution flag when leading in one case and wrong-place-wrong-time crashes in other instances.
—Ellen J. Horrow, USA TODAY, 17 June 2023
The new bill is designed to prevent shootings like the one at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade last year, which state senator Julie Morrison argued could have been prevented if not for that 2014 law.
—Sean Hollister, The Verge, 16 June 2023
But there are others noting that the lineup would be a lot deeper if not for the rap community’s unfortunate losses.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2023
Parents and teachers lambasted administrators, saying students who assault classmates and staff rarely face consequences, and that Zwerner’s shooting could have been prevented if not for a toxic environment in which teachers’ concerns are ignored.
—Ben Finley and Denise Lavoie, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Apr. 2023
The hole only got deeper against a parade of relievers and could actually have been worse if not for several outstanding defensive plays by left fielder Adam Rakestraw, shortstop Easton Good and first baseman Zack Williams.
—Brett Friedlander, The Indianapolis Star, 5 June 2023
As the Fed hiked interest rates, the value of those bonds dipped, but would have been repaid in time if not for the bank run.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2023
Susan B. Glasser, The New Yorker, 28 June 2023
Would shows like Stranger Things, Westworld, The Mandalorian and The Boys have netted their drama series noms if not for Thrones?
—Esther Zuckerman, The Hollywood Reporter, 19 June 2023
Larson has notched two victories and probably should have had more if not for some unfortunate bad luck – an untimely caution flag when leading in one case and wrong-place-wrong-time crashes in other instances.
—Ellen J. Horrow, USA TODAY, 17 June 2023
The new bill is designed to prevent shootings like the one at the Highland Park Fourth of July parade last year, which state senator Julie Morrison argued could have been prevented if not for that 2014 law.
—Sean Hollister, The Verge, 16 June 2023
But there are others noting that the lineup would be a lot deeper if not for the rap community’s unfortunate losses.
—Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 16 June 2023
Parents and teachers lambasted administrators, saying students who assault classmates and staff rarely face consequences, and that Zwerner’s shooting could have been prevented if not for a toxic environment in which teachers’ concerns are ignored.
—Ben Finley and Denise Lavoie, BostonGlobe.com, 12 Apr. 2023
The hole only got deeper against a parade of relievers and could actually have been worse if not for several outstanding defensive plays by left fielder Adam Rakestraw, shortstop Easton Good and first baseman Zack Williams.
—Brett Friedlander, The Indianapolis Star, 5 June 2023
As the Fed hiked interest rates, the value of those bonds dipped, but would have been repaid in time if not for the bank run.
—Prarthana Prakash, Fortune, 30 Mar. 2023
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'if not for.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near if not for
Cite this Entry
“If not for.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/if%20not%20for. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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