if not exclusively

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if not exclusively" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is primarily true but may also include other possibilities or exceptions. Example: "The project focuses on renewable energy sources, if not exclusively, then primarily on solar and wind power."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mostly, if not exclusively, we did.

The Guardian - Books

Furthermore, immunodepletion experiments demonstrate that the fluorescently-tagged peptide is selectively, if not exclusively, phosphorylated by the conventional PKCs.

Biochimica et Biophysica Acta (BBA) - Proteins and Proteomics

Cell membranes exist mostly, if not exclusively, in the fluid or liquid-crystalline state19.

Nature

Brass is an alloy consisting mainly if not exclusively of copper and zinc.

Britannica

Most accounts focus primarily, if not exclusively, on residential development and rely on stock suburban theses for their interpretation.

Journal of Historical Geography

Judging from the crowd on Saturday, rugby's core public remains predominantly, if not exclusively, white.

The New York Times - Sports

Canines are all predators that are primarily, if not exclusively, meat eaters.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Now we are supposed to pay attention to distractions such as email notifications and, mostly, if not exclusively, we do.

The Guardian - Books

Hair has a record of controversial decisions, particularly (if not exclusively) in relation to south Asian teams.

The Guardian - Opinion

Our methodological approach is indeed largely based on NMR, even if not exclusively, with important contributions deriving also from X-ray crystallography and X-ray absorption spectroscopy.

Coordination Chemistry Reviews

Nonfiction aims, if not exclusively and not uncomplicatedly, for Orwell's model of the clear pane of glass.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if not exclusively" to indicate that something is mainly true, but other possibilities or exceptions may exist. It adds nuance to your statement.

Common error

While "if not exclusively" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound hesitant. Consider stronger, more direct alternatives when appropriate to maintain a confident tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if not exclusively" functions as a qualifier or hedge, softening a statement by suggesting that while something is primarily true in a certain respect, other possibilities exist. It acts as a conjunction phrase, connecting the main point with a potential exception. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

42%

News & Media

41%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

2%

Science

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "if not exclusively" serves as a qualifier, adding precision to statements by acknowledging potential exceptions to a primary condition. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across a variety of contexts. Analysis of numerous examples reveals its frequent use in Science and News & Media, with authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian employing it regularly. While highly useful, avoid overuse to maintain a strong writing style and consider alternatives like "if not solely" or "primarily" for stylistic variation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if not solely

Replaces 'exclusively' with 'solely', emphasizing the absence of other factors.

primarily, if not solely

Adds 'primarily' for stronger emphasis on the main aspect.

if not entirely

Replaces 'exclusively' with 'entirely', suggesting near completeness.

if not completely

Replaces 'exclusively' with 'completely', focusing on the extent of something.

if not just

Replaces 'exclusively' with 'just', implying simplicity or limitation.

if not simply

Similar to "if not just", emphasizes a lack of complexity.

if not purely

Replaces 'exclusively' with 'purely', highlighting the lack of mixture or contamination.

if not strictly

Replaces 'exclusively' with 'strictly', emphasizing adherence to a single condition.

if not uniquely

Replaces 'exclusively' with 'uniquely', suggesting distinctiveness.

if not specifically

Replaces 'exclusively' with 'specifically', focusing on precise identification.

FAQs

How to use "if not exclusively" in a sentence?

The phrase "if not exclusively" is used to indicate that something is mainly, but not necessarily, limited to a specific case. Example: "The research focuses on renewable energy sources, "if not exclusively", then primarily on solar and wind power."

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

You can use alternatives like "if not solely", "if not entirely", or "primarily" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "if not exclusively" or "if not exclusively then"?

The phrase "if not exclusively" is correct on its own. Adding "then" after it is grammatically incorrect and unnecessary.

What's the difference between "if not exclusively" and "only if"?

"If not exclusively" suggests a primary focus with possible exceptions, while "only if" indicates a strict condition. For example, "He listens to rock music, "if not exclusively"" means he mainly listens to rock but might listen to other genres too. "He will succeed only if he works hard" means his success depends solely on his hard work.