a sizeable if

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a sizeable if" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It may be intended to introduce a condition or caveat, but it lacks the necessary context to be usable. Example: "There is a sizeable if in the proposal that needs to be addressed before moving forward."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

That, though, remains a sizeable "if".

The Economist

That is still quite a sizeable "if".

The Economist

If accompanying regulations are implementation are clear and consistent, Mr Coelho argues, the law will be a boon for business.That remains a sizeable "if".

The Economist

A new paper* from the RAND Corporation, another think-tank, suggests that taxing calories could have a sizeable, if gradual, effect on people's weight.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Those are two pretty sizeable "ifs".

The Guardian - Money

We have the ability to contribute a sizeable amount if required".

The Guardian

While it certainly makes sense to build more, that explanation comes up against a sizeable problem; if there is a shortage of housing, why haven't rents risen more?

The Economist

At my company Rocketrip, we find that travelers now choose Airbnb seven percent of the time, which is a sizeable share if you think of Airbnb as one hotel.

TechCrunch

It's a sizeable investment, but if you're looking for the hub with the most built-in smarts, this is probably it as of now.

TechCrunch

Suu Kyi started the contest with a sizeable handicap: even if the vote is deemed free and fair, one-quarter of parliament's seats will still be held by unelected military officers.

Vice

If a sizeable group of the world's low- and middle-income countries got together and acted as a bloc within the I.M.F., they could make a difference, just as they did within the W.T.O.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "a sizeable if". Opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "a significant condition" or "a considerable caveat".

Common error

Don't rely on "a sizeable if" to introduce conditions. Instead, choose direct and clear language to avoid confusing your readers. Using alternatives like "a major uncertainty" provides greater clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a sizeable if" functions as a noun phrase intended to introduce a significant condition or uncertainty. However, its non-standard usage makes it grammatically questionable. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, this phrase may not convey a clear meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a sizeable if" is an uncommon and grammatically questionable construction intended to denote a significant condition or caveat. As Ludwig AI points out, it lacks clarity and is not considered standard English. While it occasionally appears in news media, clearer alternatives like "a significant condition" or "a major uncertainty" are preferable. Using such alternatives ensures more effective communication and avoids potential confusion. The phrase's infrequent usage and structural awkwardness make it best avoided in both formal and informal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a significant condition

Focuses on the importance of the condition.

a considerable caveat

Emphasizes the caveat as a notable limitation.

a substantial qualification

Highlights the importance of the qualification.

a major uncertainty

Shifts the focus to the uncertainty involved.

a noteworthy exception

Emphasizes that it is an exception.

an important contingency

Stresses the dependency on an uncertain future event.

a critical assumption

Points out the assumption's vital role.

a large proviso

Emphasizes the magnitude of the proviso.

a notable stipulation

Focuses on the explicit agreement or requirement.

a considerable imponderable

Highlights the difficulty in assessing the impact.

FAQs

What does "a sizeable if" mean?

The phrase "a sizeable if" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and unclear. It's intended to highlight a significant condition or uncertainty but is not an idiomatic expression.

What can I say instead of "a sizeable if"?

You can use alternatives like "a significant condition", "a considerable caveat", or "a major uncertainty" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "a sizeable if"?

No, it's not grammatically correct or standard English. More appropriate phrases to use include "a significant condition" or "a major uncertainty".

How to use "a significant condition" or "a major uncertainty" in a sentence instead of "a sizeable if"?

Instead of saying "That remains a sizeable if", you could say "That remains a significant condition" or "That is still a major uncertainty".