but if developments

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but if developments" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to introduce a conditional statement regarding future changes or progress in a situation. Example: "We will proceed with the project as planned, but if developments arise that require adjustments, we will reassess our strategy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

But if developments this week are any indication, the Israeli parliament, the Knesset, might soon offer an official, surprising answer: almost no one.

The New York Times

Powerful enough lasers don't yet exist, but if developments continue to follow Moore's law the team calculates technology will be ready in a few decades' time.

Science Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

But if development is a question of political will, then Africa needs political transformation fast.

The Guardian

But if development of antimissile technology proceeded on schedule, the Bush administration would consider declaring Fort Greely a working missile defense system as early as 2004, if there was credible evidence of a missile threat to the United States, Pentagon officials said.

The New York Times

Affordability is a challenge, but if development is refocused on certain specific functions that do not involve the costs involved with capabilities such as fetching and carrying or mimicking a human being or pet, and if the robot is embedded in social media, then both affordability and marketability are more likely to be achievable.

Ageing and Society

The debt is supposed to be paid from taxes generated by the new development, but if no development occurs, the city could be on the hook for $100 million a year in payments.

The New York Times

But "if those developments, perhaps in an area where wind won't work for them, if they are not able to make those projects happen, then that would be sad," he said.

The New York Times

He added: "The eco-towns brand has taken a battering, but if these developments go through the interrogation of a proper planning process, are linked to existing communities, have local support and are built to the very highest environmental standards, then it can only be a good thing.

The Guardian

The present study is concerned to establish that the surveillance process operates in regenerating and normal salamander tissues, but, if reagent developments allow, further studies will focus on the mechanisms that underlie this important process.

eLife

If the development of a water supply is for a single purpose, then the determination of ownership may be relatively simple; but if the development is multipurpose, as most modern developments are, ownership may be difficult to determine, and agreements must be worked out among countries, states, municipalities, and private owners.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We're prepared to quickly engage if developments warrant," he added.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but if developments", ensure the sentence clearly outlines the condition and the expected outcome or consequence if those developments occur.

Common error

Ensure that the "developments" you refer to are clearly defined or easily understood from the context. Avoid ambiguity by specifying what developments you are talking about.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but if developments" acts as a conditional conjunction, linking a previous statement with a condition based on potential future changes or progress. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in introducing a contingency that could alter a course of action or outcome.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but if developments" is a grammatically correct conditional phrase used to introduce a contingency based on future changes or progress. It appears primarily in News & Media and Scientific contexts. While Ludwig AI confirms its usability, it is relatively rare. When using this phrase, clarity is essential; ensure the developments you refer to are clearly defined. Consider alternatives like "however if progress is made" for varied phrasing. The register is neutral, making it suitable for different contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

however if progress is made

Replaces "developments" with a synonym, "progress", and uses a slightly more formal tone.

yet if advances occur

Uses "yet" to contrast a previous statement and "advances" instead of developments, making it more emphatic.

but in the event of new changes

Rephrases "developments" as "new changes" and introduces a formal tone with "in the event of".

nonetheless should improvements arise

Uses "nonetheless" to contrast a previous statement and "improvements" for a more positive connotation.

even so if things evolve

Employs a more casual tone using "things evolve" instead of "developments".

but if there are any breakthroughs

Replaces "developments" with "breakthroughs", highlighting significant advancements.

however if new events unfold

Uses "new events unfold" to convey the sense of developments happening.

still if the situation changes

Generalizes "developments" to "the situation changes", making it broader in scope.

but in case of further evolution

Similar to "but in the event of new changes" with a focus on "evolution".

yet should there be an upturn

Uses "upturn" to specify positive developments or improvements in a situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "but if developments" in a sentence?

You can use alternatives like "however if progress is made", "yet if advances occur", or "but in the event of new changes" depending on the context. See also "nonetheless should improvements arise".

Is "but if developments" suitable for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "but if developments" may sound slightly informal. For formal writing, consider alternatives like "however, should developments arise" or "in the event of new changes".

What does "but if developments" imply in a sentence?

It introduces a condition based on future changes or progress, suggesting that the outcome depends on how things evolve. It sets up an expectation that something might change and affect the situation, you could also say "but if there are any breakthroughs".

Can "but if developments" be used at the beginning of a sentence?

While grammatically permissible, starting a sentence with "but if developments" might sound slightly awkward. It's generally better to integrate it within the sentence structure. For example: "We will proceed, "however if progress is made", we will reconsider our approach".