if not existing

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if not existing" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts discussing the absence of something, but it is better to use more conventional phrasing. Example: "The project will proceed as planned, if not existing resources are available."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If not, existing evidence should be used to help to modify current guidelines for the treatment of children with invasive bacterial disease in malaria endemic areas.

British Medical Journal

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

But if they do not, existing legal doctrines will serve parties well in planning their families and resolving later disputes.

Harvard University

"These children, with no basic human rights, live as if they are not existing," he told the parliamentary group on North Korea.

The Guardian

If indeed the state of not existing is no worse than that of experiencing the benefits of existence, then, since existing invariably brings harm in its wake, existing is always a net harm compared to not existing.

SEP

Yet if this appeal succeeds will not existing chaps in armchairs now risk overhearing some decidedly non-Liberal opinions emanating from chaps in armchairs next door?

The Guardian

In addition, the party is so engrained in the daily life of the Chinese that it would be hard to see that not existing, even if the process away from it, were a gradual one.

Huffington Post

The negative has deteriorated, if not vanished; existing prints are scratched or worse.

The New York Times

CCP, to its immense credit, offered to keep on most, if not all, existing White Wolf staff.

The Guardian - Tech

Some may be merely feral (escaped or released) donkeys, and interbreeding with feral donkeys is likely to have occurred in many, if not all, existing populations.

Encyclopedia Britannica

If not, an existing solution may be the more cost-effective option.

Forbes

Patients were monitored according to standard ICU routines but also were treated with a 5-French femoral artery catheter (PV2015L20N; PULSION Medical Systems, Munich, Germany) and, if not already existing, a central venous catheter inserted into the internal jugular or subclavian vein.

Critical Care

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use more common and clear alternatives like "if not available" or "if not present" to avoid confusion.

Common error

Avoid using "if not existing" in formal writing, as it can make sentences unnecessarily complex. Simpler phrasing improves readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if not existing" functions as a conditional conjunction, setting a condition based on the absence of something. However, it's rarely used and can be grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI suggests clearer alternatives.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

33%

News & Media

33%

Academia

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "if not existing" is uncommon and generally considered grammatically awkward. Ludwig AI identifies it as non-standard, suggesting that clearer and more precise alternatives such as "if not available" or "if not present" should be preferred. While it appears across various sources, its infrequency and potential for misinterpretation make it less desirable for formal or technical writing. Prioritize clarity by using alternatives that directly convey your intended meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if not available

Focuses on the availability of something, implying it may or may not be present or accessible.

if not present

Emphasizes the physical or logical presence of something.

in the absence of

Formally indicates a lack of something, often used in official or technical contexts.

failing the existence of

This alternative sets a condition where something is planned if something else doesn't exist

if there isn't

Directly questions the absence of something.

should it not exist

Poses a hypothetical scenario where something may not be present.

unless it exists

Specifies a condition that must be met for something to be true.

if absent

Briefly states a condition where something is not present.

without existing

Suggests an action occurs independently from the existence of a thing

if there are none

Rephrases to highlight that you're speaking of a non existing quantity of a thing

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "if not existing"?

You can use alternatives like "if not available", "if not present", or "in the absence of" depending on the context.

Is "if not existing" grammatically correct?

While understandable, "if not existing" is not considered standard English. It's better to use clearer and more common phrases.

How can I improve my sentence that contains "if not existing"?

Replace "if not existing" with a phrase that directly states what you mean, such as "if the resource is unavailable" or "if there isn't one already".

What's the difference between "if not existing" and "if not available"?

"If not existing" implies a state of non-existence, while "if not available" suggests that something might exist but isn't accessible or ready for use. The latter is usually clearer.