##  [if not](/writing-tips-plus/if-not)

##  Avertissement

Ce contenu est offert en anglais seulement.

Phrases with the words *if not* are heard often, but they are not always clear. These two little words can take on different meanings depending on the context.

## *Nothing if not* = definitely

*Nothing if not* acts as an intensifier and means “definitely” or “certainly.”

- Bad spelling is *nothing if not* annoying.

Here, the meaning is clear: Bad spelling is *definitely* annoying.

## *Most, if not all* = and possibly all

Similar phrases, such as *most, if not all,* can be very confusing. You should avoid this phrase unless you are discussing a truly uncertain situation. Here is a logical use of that phrase:

- Scientists believe that *most, if not all,* black butterflies live in South America.

The scientists are not positive that all black butterflies live in South America, so they are being cautious. Here, *if not all* means “and possibly all.” (Note that a comma is needed before and after *if not all*.)

## *If not* = although not

Often, *if not* phrases are used to connect strong and weak descriptors:

- Alex’s welcome was pleasant, *if not* enthusiastic.

Because *enthusiastic* is a stronger word than *pleasant*, we understand this sentence to mean that the welcome was not unpleasant but not very enthusiastic, either. Here, the phrase *if not* means “although not.”

## *If not* = or even

In a similar sentence, *if not* may mean “or even”:

- You will receive an answer in a matter of hours, *if not* minutes.

Here, the emphasis is on a rapid response: your answer will arrive in hours, *or even* minutes.

As you can see, the meaning of *if not* changes according to the context. Our advice: be very careful when using those two little words!

##  Avis de droit d’auteur pour l’outil Writing Tips Plus

© Sa Majesté le Roi du chef du Canada, représenté par le ou la ministre des Services publics et de l’Approvisionnement
Un outil créé et mis en ligne par le Bureau de la traduction, Services publics et Approvisionnement Canada

## Rechercher par thèmes connexes

Vous voulez en apprendre davantage sur un thème abordé dans cette page? Cliquez sur un lien ci-dessous pour voir toutes les pages du Portail linguistique du Canada portant sur le thème choisi. Les résultats de recherche s’afficheront dans le [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator).

- [Clear communication](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A459#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
- [Word choice](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B0%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A459&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A463#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
- [Grammar and syntax](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A476#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)
- [Phrases](/fr/navigateur-navigator?search_api_fulltext=-&field_writing_tools=All&sort_by=views&f%5B0%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A476&f%5B1%5D=navigateur_navigator_english_theme%3A483#navigateur-navigator-resultats-results)

## Liens connexes

- [Writing Tips Plus](/fr/writing-tips-plus/index-fra) (page d’accueil)
- [Outils d’aide à la rédaction](/fr/outils-tools/index-fra)
- [Navigateur linguistique](/fr/navigateur-navigator) (permet de trouver rapidement des conseils linguistiques)
- [TERMIUM Plus®](http://www.btb.termiumplus.gc.ca/tpv2alpha/alpha-fra.html?lang=fra)