if not more

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "if not more" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something may be greater than expected. For example: "She worked hard for weeks on her project, if not more."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If not more.

The New York Times - Travel

I'm as keen if not more keen!

The Guardian - Music

If not, more examples like this could be done.

Harvard University

As much if not more is shown here.

Cornell University

Simple statistical arguments imply that one, if not more, AWFC probably occurs during every substorm.

Advances in Space Research

"I have a sharper, if not more attentive civic ear".

The New York Times

In my mind, it certainly is, if not more.

The New Yorker

We deserve the same number of applications, if not more".

The New York Times

But certainly tens of thousands, if not more, stayed away.

The New York Times

House Republicans are equally if not more frugal.

The New York Times

One solution: "as welcome as a purebred, if not more".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if not more" to subtly suggest a quantity or degree might be higher than initially stated. This adds nuance without committing to a definite higher value.

Common error

Avoid using "if not more" simply for emphasis when a precise value is known. It's best suited for situations where the exact quantity is uncertain but likely exceeds the stated amount.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if not more" functions as a qualifier, modifying a preceding statement by suggesting a potential increase in quantity, degree, or extent. Ludwig AI validates its proper usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Academia

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "if not more" is a versatile qualifier used to indicate that a quantity or degree might be greater than what's initially stated. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, this phrase is grammatically sound and frequently used across a variety of sources, most commonly in "News & Media". While it's generally applicable in many contexts, it's particularly useful when the exact amount is uncertain but likely higher. Remember that alternatives like "possibly even more" or "or more" can also be employed depending on the specific nuance you want to convey. In short, "if not more" is a handy tool for adding a touch of uncertainty and potential excess to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if not greater

Replaces "more" with "greater", emphasizing the magnitude or extent.

possibly even more

Adds emphasis to the possibility of exceeding the initial amount.

or possibly more

Similar to "possibly even more", indicating a likelihood of exceeding.

if not surpassing

Replaces "more" with "surpassing", suggesting going beyond a limit or expectation.

at least as much

Focuses on the minimum amount being equal, with a hint of potential excess.

if not exceeding that

More explicitly states the act of surpassing a certain threshold.

if not a bit more

Adds a touch of informality and implies a slightly larger quantity.

potentially exceeding

Highlights the potential for the amount to be greater.

maybe even surpassing

Combines 'maybe' and 'surpassing' indicating the possibility of something exceeding expectations.

if anything, more

Implies that if there is any difference, it would be towards a greater quantity.

FAQs

How do I use "if not more" in a sentence?

Use "if not more" to indicate that something is at least a certain amount or degree, and possibly even greater. For example, "The project took several weeks, "if not more", to complete".

What are some alternatives to saying "if not more"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "possibly even more", "or more", or "at least" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "if not less" instead of "if not more"?

While grammatically correct, "if not less" conveys the opposite meaning, suggesting something is possibly smaller or of lesser degree. The choice depends on the intended meaning.

How does the phrase "if not more" differ from "or more"?

"If not more" emphasizes the possibility of exceeding the stated amount, while "or more" simply indicates a minimum quantity without necessarily implying a likelihood of exceeding it.