if not only

USAGE SUMMARY

"if not only" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is often used in conditional sentences to specify that not only one thing is true, but also another. For example, "If not only were the tickets sold out, but the waiting list was full too."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

If not, only peanut butter and jelly.

The New York Times - Arts

"The World Cup," he said, "is FIFA's biggest if not only global event.

The New York Times - Sports

What if not only the premise but also its rendition were perfect?

The New York Times - Books

These terms are essential if not only the fully premixed limit but also the transport equation for a classical diffusion flame are to be recovered.

Combustion and Flame

But Arizona is one of the few — if not only — places to measure the outcome so rigorously.

The New York Times

Entirely new opportunities can be explored if not only a single, but multiple synchronized, ultrashort, high-energy beams are used.

Nature

The team should be led by an executive whose highest, if not only, priority is the project.

Harvard Business Review

The museum is well worth a visit, if not only for the Bosphorus views from its in-house cafe.

The Guardian - Travel

Seeing reality by going to the "gemba" is the best (if not only) way to really understand what the problem is all about.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

This is because Canada is one of the few, if not only, countries where provinces share power with the federal government to set migration numbers.

Princeton University

Right now, that problem appears especially acute: Sanctions seem to be the main, if not only, Western weapon for dealing with Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "if not only" to introduce a primary aspect, followed by a secondary consideration, creating a nuanced understanding of the topic.

Common error

Avoid using "if not only" when a simple negative condition is sufficient. For example, instead of "If not only the weather is bad, the roads are also closed," consider "If the weather is bad, the roads are also closed."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "if not only" primarily functions as a conditional connector, introducing a scenario where one condition is met, followed by a secondary or alternative consideration. As Ludwig AI explains, it’s used in conditional sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "if not only" functions as a conditional connector that introduces a primary scenario alongside potential secondary considerations. Ludwig AI states it's mostly used in conditional sentences. This phrase is widely used in various contexts such as news, science, and academia, as it acknowledges multiple contributing factors. When using "if not only", be careful not to use it when a more simple conditional is enough, and consider the available alternatives to fine-tune your expression and choose what best fits your intention.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

if not solely

Emphasizes that something is primarily, though perhaps not exclusively, the case.

if not exclusively

Highlights that the condition is almost unique but allows for very few exceptions.

if not merely

Suggests the initial aspect is not basic or simple but could be more.

if not just

Implies that something is more than what it seems.

if not simply

Indicates that something could be more complex than initially stated.

if not purely

Highlights the possibility of additional factors beyond the initial consideration.

if not exclusively at least

Narrows the condition to be almost unique.

if not entirely

Implies that something may not be complete or whole.

perhaps even

This phrase broadens the condition to encompass greater possibilities.

if not primarily

Suggests there could be other non-essential factors.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "if not only" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, consider using phrases such as "if not solely", "if not exclusively", or "at the very least" depending on the specific context. For example, instead of "The museum is worth visiting, if not only for the views," you might say, "The museum is worth visiting, at the very least for the views."

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

"If not only" introduces a condition and suggests an alternative or additional factor if that condition isn't met, whereas "not only... but also" emphasizes two connected elements or facts. For example, "If not only is it raining, but it's also windy" presents a condition, while "Not only is it raining, but it's also windy" emphasizes both conditions equally.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "if not only"?

While starting a sentence with "if not only" is grammatically acceptable, it might sound less polished than restructuring the sentence. For example, instead of "If not only is the service slow, it's also expensive," you could write, "The service is slow, if not only expensive."

When should I use "if not only" versus another conditional phrase?

Use "if not only" when you want to suggest a primary reason or condition, and then imply there might be other reasons or conditions. It is suitable when you are highlighting a key factor while acknowledging that other factors might also be present. Consider using alternative conditional phrases if you want to stress equality or contrast.