if none exists

USAGE SUMMARY

"if none exists" is a correct and usable part of a sentence in written English.
You can use it when referring to a situation where something does not exist. For example, "If none exists, I will create a new plan."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

If none exists for your discovery, a provisional patent can protect your work for one year in the US, allowing the technology transfer office time to file it, if necessary.

Science Magazine

If you don't fix B player mistakes by moving them to less critical roles or areas where they can succeed or, if none exists, by doing a fair exit deal with them, you will demotivate your best employees and bring down the standards of excellence.

TechCrunch

However, it must be asked what justifies such a judgment to the effect that some test procedure has "a very high probability of detecting an error if and only if one exists" or "a very high probability of not detecting an error if an only if none exists".

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Winship acknowledges that the data suggests some relation between inequality and immobility — and, indeed, it would be surprising if none existed.

The New York Times

But advocates for open government said the veil of secrecy Mr. Pataki has wrapped around all his vacations has created a climate of suspicion and creates appearances of conflicts, even if none exist.

The New York Times

Subjects were reminded of pleasant childhood memories involving sugar-sweetened soda or, if none existed, were implanted with such memories by way of a top-secret military-issued neurosurgical artificial-mnemonic-creation machine.

The New Yorker

It computes a color-based oversegmentation of the original image and assigns each pixel the label of the closest of its 4-neighbor patch centers that belongs to its own segment or, if none exist, the label of its nearest patch center.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

According to an audio commentary on series 2, episode 4 of Green Wing, Tamsin Greig says that the students were given money to research the rules, and if none existed, to invent them.

Wikipedia

If none existed, these were not done.

Plosone

If none exist, we recommend collaborating with a measurement expert to develop and validate your own measure.

CBE Life Sciences Education

A limitation of this study is that blinding was impossible, and patients may have been motivated to perceive a treatment benefit, even if none existed.

BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if none exists" to clearly indicate a contingency plan when something is absent. For example, "If the original document is unavailable, a certified copy should be accepted."

Common error

Ensure clarity by specifying what "none" refers to. Avoid ambiguity by restating the noun or concept to which "none" is connected; for example, instead of "If none exists, proceed," write "If no alternative solution exists, proceed with the default settings."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if none exists" functions as a conditional clause, introducing a scenario where something is absent. It sets up a contingency plan or alternative action to be taken when the expected element or condition is not present. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "if none exists" is a grammatically correct conditional phrase used to indicate an alternative action when something is not available. While Ludwig AI confirms its validity, it's relatively rare in occurrence, but usable across different contexts like science, news, and general writing. When employing the phrase, it's crucial to specify what "none" refers to, avoiding ambiguity and ensuring clear communication. Related phrases include "if there are none" and "in the absence of any", offering alternative ways to express the same concept with varying degrees of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if there are none

Emphasizes the plural aspect of "none", focusing on the absence of multiple items.

in the absence of any

A more formal way of expressing non-existence, suitable for academic or professional contexts.

should there be none

Introduces a hypothetical scenario where something does not exist.

if nothing is present

Focuses on the lack of physical presence or availability.

where there is nothing

Highlights a situation or location devoid of something.

if nothing can be found

Implies a search or attempt to locate something that ultimately does not exist.

failing any

A concise way of saying "if there are no alternatives or options".

assuming there isn't any

Indicates a conditional statement based on the presumption of non-existence.

if not found

A shorter, more direct way of expressing the absence of something after a search.

when absent

Focuses on the state of being absent or non-existent.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "if none exists" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider alternatives such as "in the absence of any", or "should there be none". For example, instead of "If none exists, proceed with caution" you could say "In the absence of any documented procedure, proceed with caution".

What's a simpler way to say "if none exists"?

Simpler alternatives include "if there are none" or "if nothing is present". These options are more direct and easier to understand in everyday conversation. For example, you can say "If there are none available, we'll have to improvise".

How do I use "if none exists" correctly in a sentence?

Ensure that the sentence clearly indicates what "none" refers to. For example, "If no prior art exists, a patent application may be filed." In cases where prior art does exist, it is not appropriate to use the phrase.

Are there situations where I shouldn't use "if none exists"?

Avoid using "if none exists" when the context is unclear or when a more specific alternative would improve clarity. For example, avoid writing "If none exists, use the default" when a more direct instruction can be provided (i.e. "If a backup is unavailable, use the default").