if it is not applicable

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if it is not applicable" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when indicating that a certain condition or requirement does not pertain to the situation at hand. Example: "Please fill out the form completely, and write 'N/A' in any section if it is not applicable."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

If it is not applicable, then it cannot be considered as missing and should be removed from the analysis model.

Large-scale Assessments in Education

If it is not applicable, the last one is attempted.

BMC Medical Informatics and Decision Making

If it is not applicable, please explain why.

BMC Health Services Research

In addition, five of the items that may not be relevant for some people have a preliminary question that determines the relevance of the dimension, and it is ignored if it is not applicable.

Health and Quality of Life Outcomes

For each of these criteria it has to be decided (in the team) whether it can be substituted by other requests (like (1.1), see below) or if it is not applicable and does not need to be considered.

BioMed Research International

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The water companies – or to be precise, the sewerage companies – apply a charge to treat that water, and if it's not applicable, then you don't need to be paying for it.

The Guardian - Money

Each item was scored positive if it was satisfactorily presented, negative if absent, or (na) if it was not applicable.

British Journal of General Practice

But if the 19 1/2% tax is not applicable to non-code members, it is not applicable to anyone since § 3(b) exempts code members from that tax.

Cornell University

Finally, environmental health research in particular can also have very limited scientific reward if it is not directly applicable to everyday situations.

Science Magazine

We send them to tech events that interest them, even if it is not directly applicable to what they are doing for us, e.g., investor-speaking engagements.

Huffington Post

Nevertheless, the disease centered point of view remains the basis of most clinical guidelines even if it is not fully applicable in FM [ 10, 11].

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "if it is not applicable" in forms or questionnaires, provide a clear alternative like "N/A" or a checkbox labeled "Not Applicable" to ensure users know how to respond.

Common error

Avoid using "if it is not applicable" in situations where a simpler phrase like "if it doesn't apply" or "if unnecessary" would suffice. Overly formal phrasing can make your writing sound stilted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if it is not applicable" functions as a conditional clause. It introduces a condition under which a statement or action does not hold true or is not required. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and in real English sources it is used to specify when a rule, requirement, or instruction should be disregarded.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

45%

Wiki

20%

News & Media

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if it is not applicable" is a grammatically sound phrase used to introduce a conditional exception, commonly found in formal and neutral registers. While Ludwig confirms its correctness, simpler alternatives like "if it doesn't apply" may be suitable in less formal contexts. When incorporating this phrase in forms or questionnaires, providing a clear "N/A" option is advisable. Ludwig AI provides several examples with similar meaning. The phrase appears more frequently in scientific and wiki contexts. You could explore semantically similar phrases in the related phrases section.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if it does not apply

Replaces "is not applicable" with the more concise "does not apply".

if it's not relevant

Substitutes "applicable" with "relevant", focusing on the pertinence of the subject.

if it is irrelevant

Replaces "not applicable" with "irrelevant", stressing the lack of importance.

if it is unnecessary

Changes the focus to whether something is needed, instead of whether it applies.

if it is not required

Emphasizes the lack of a requirement rather than direct applicability.

should it not be the case

A more formal way of stating the condition, altering sentence structure.

where it does not pertain

Uses "pertain" to indicate the absence of a direct relationship or relevance.

in cases where it's unsuitable

Focuses on suitability as the criterion for inapplicability.

except when it does not hold

Introduces an exception based on whether a condition is true.

unless the condition applies

Emphasizes the condition's applicability as a determinant.

FAQs

How can I use "if it is not applicable" in a sentence?

Use "if it is not applicable" to indicate that a condition or item does not apply to a particular situation. For example: "Please mark 'N/A' on the form if it is not applicable to your current circumstances."

What's a shorter way to say "if it is not applicable"?

Shorter alternatives include "if it doesn't apply", "if irrelevant", or simply "if unnecessary". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is "if it is not applicable" the same as "if it is not relevant"?

While similar, "if it is not applicable" suggests something doesn't directly apply, while "if it is not relevant" suggests it lacks importance to the matter at hand. Consider using "if it is not relevant" when the focus is on importance.

When should I use "N/A" instead of writing out "if it is not applicable"?

"N/A" is an appropriate shorthand in forms, questionnaires, or tables where space is limited and clarity is maintained. In general prose, it's better to write out "if it is not applicable" or a similar phrase like "if it does not apply" for better readability.