Some expressions cause so much doubt that they sometimes cause speakers to substitute for them. This is common in constructions like: “If it doesn't rain, I'll go to the beach”. In this case, the question is: "What should I use: If it doesn't rain or if it doesn't?" Let's study the meanings of each of the expressions to understand which is the correct form for the context introduced.
According to the Houaiss dictionary, if not it can belong to three different grammatical classes. In each one, you will establish an idea. Follow:
If not: alternative phrase (indicates the idea of otherwise).
E.g.: Do the task, otherwise you will have no internet.
If not: adversative conjunction (indicates opposition).
Ex.: Some people do not get appreciation, but criticism.
If not: preposition (indicates only, only, or may indicate defect, failure).
Ex.: Congratulations! There was no hitch in his work.
in conditional prayers, that is, in statements that establish an idea of a condition or hypothesis, the expression to be used is if no (formed by the conditional conjunction “if” and the adverb of negation). Therefore, in the statement "If it doesn't rain, I'll go to the beach", as the idea is a hypothesis, the correct expression, in place of "if", is if no, then: “If it doesn't rain, I'll go to the beach”.
- From now on, be careful when using the expression if not and if not, remember that:
If not can be replaced by: otherwise, otherwise, but, however, only, only, or idea of absence or presence of defect.
If no may be replaced by: any conjunction that indicates condition – case, provided, provided, except that, unless, etc.
By Mayra Pavan
Graduated in Letters
