if not better

USAGE SUMMARY

"if not better" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to imply that something is either the same or better than expected. For example, "We were hoping for good results, but the outcome was if not better than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If not better, then they're certainly different.

The Guardian - Travel

If not, better shut up shop.

The Guardian

"They're fully comparable, if not better".

The New York Times

She was equally, if not better, known as a recitalist.

The New York Times - Arts

Others would meet the case equally well, if not better.

The New York Times - Books

Some plants look good, if not better, naked.

The Times

This squad's just as good, if not better, than Swansea's.

The Guardian - Sport

The league is bigger, if not better, than this.

The New York Times - Sports

He was just as good yesterday, if not better.

The New York Times - Sports

"We have similar if not better quit rates," he said.

The New York Times - Health

The GPS unit performed as well if not better than the listed accuracy.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if not better" to subtly suggest an improvement or advantage without overstating it. It adds a layer of nuance to your comparison.

Common error

Avoid using "if not better" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise language to convey your intended meaning and level of certainty.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if not better" functions as a qualifier in comparative statements, suggesting equivalence or superiority. Ludwig's examples show it modifying adjectives and adverbs to enhance the description. The Ludwig AI validates that the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

64%

Science

18%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "if not better" is a versatile qualifier used to suggest equivalence or potential superiority in comparisons. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It commonly appears in news and media, scientific articles, and general discussions. While appropriate for most contexts, it might be too informal for strictly academic writing. When using "if not better", consider alternatives like "possibly superior" or "equal or better" for nuanced expressions. Remember, the phrase adds a subtle layer of positive evaluation to your statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

as good if not superior

Reorders the phrase to emphasize the possibility of being superior.

if not superior

Directly asserts the potential for superiority, slightly stronger than the original.

equal or better

Highlights both possibilities equally, without emphasizing either.

or possibly better

Provides a direct alternative with a hint of uncertainty about the improvement.

might even be better

Suggests a stronger possibility of being superior, adding emphasis.

maybe even better

Adds a touch of uncertainty while highlighting the possibility of improvement.

could be superior

Implies a plausible chance of being better, presenting it as a possibility.

possibly superior

Emphasizes the potential for being superior, removing the conditional aspect.

potentially superior

Highlights the potential for being better, focusing on the possibility.

at least as good

Downplays the possibility of being better, focusing on being equally good.

FAQs

How can I use "if not better" in a sentence?

Use "if not better" to compare something favorably, suggesting it's equal to or superior to something else. For instance, "The new model is as efficient as, "if not better", than the previous one".

What's the difference between "if not better" and "if not worse"?

"If not better" implies potential improvement or superiority, while "if not worse" suggests a situation is at least as good as, or possibly better than, an alternative. The phrases are opposites in their implications.

Which is correct, "as good if not better" or "as good, if not better"?

Both are technically correct, but "as good, if not better" with a comma is clearer and improves readability. The comma sets off the "if not better" clause, making the sentence flow more smoothly.

What can I say instead of "if not better"?

You can use alternatives like "possibly superior", "maybe even better", or "equal or better" depending on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey. Each has slightly different implications.