Ludwig is an AI-powered English writing assistant that helps you find example sentences, check grammar, and improve your writing using reliable sources from reputable publications.

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How does Ludwig help with English learning?

Ludwig provides contextual example sentences from reliable sources like The New York Times, BBC, and academic publications, helping you understand how words and phrases are used in real-world contexts. This improves both writing fluency and comprehension skills.

Ludwig is trusted by students, teachers, researchers, and professionals worldwide. It's used by top universities including MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Oxford, as well as professionals in tech companies like Adobe.

What makes Ludwig different from other writing tools?

Ludwig focuses on providing real example sentences from authoritative sources, not just grammar checking. This contextual approach helps users understand not just what's correct, but how language is actually used by native speakers and professional writers.

Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

What if not
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

"what if not" is a grammatically correct and usable part of a sentence in written English, and it can be used when you want to introduce a hypothetical scenario that has a negative outcome
For example: "What if not enough people sign up for the event, then what will we do?"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

If so, what?" If not, why not?

News & Media

The New York Times

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

News & Media

The New York Times - Books

"What, if not this deep translation, is your ardent aim?" the Ninth Elegy urgently asks.

News & Media

The New York Times - Books

What, if not forced, is work that one is compelled to take on pain of sanctions, including starvation?

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

What, if not fear, could keep a person from making a 30-minute trip to reclaim his son?

News & Media

The New York Times

What, if not this tendresse for dames, persuaded the BBC's Today programme to invite the not notably engaging Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, a former Conservative candidate with grim views about the limitations posed by an "obscure background", to guest-edit?

News & Media

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

34 human-written examples

This is done by answering questions such as: "What if each attribute were not so, what could it be then?" Find, define and record the new attributes based from the what-if-not questions.

Wiki

WikiHow

As compared to deep questions (for example why, why not, how, what-if, what-if-not), shallow questions (who, what, when, where) are asked more by learners and teachers.

Science

Research and Practice in Technology Enhanced Learning

Explore the concept of "what-if-not".

Wiki

WikiHow

But what-ifs don't count.

News & Media

The New York Times - Sports

But what if you are not human?

News & Media

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

✓ Best practice

Avoid overuse of "what if not" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your sentence structure with alternatives to maintain reader engagement.

⚠ Common error

A common error is to apply "what if not" without a clearly defined scope, leading to confusion. Always clarify precisely which element is being hypothetically negated to avoid misinterpretations.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Linguistic Context

The phrase "what if not" functions as a conditional introductory phrase. It sets up a hypothetical scenario by negating a particular condition and prompting consideration of the alternative outcome. Ludwig confirms this usage, indicating its proper role in creating hypothetical negative conditions.

Expression frequency: Common

✓ Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

32%

Wiki

10%

⚠ Less common in

Encyclopedias

Formal & Business

Reference

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "what if not" serves as a conditional phrase used to introduce hypothetical scenarios where a particular condition is not met. Ludwig AI confirms its proper grammatical function. Its neutral register and presence across various sources, including News & Media and Science, indicate widespread applicability. Remember to clearly define the scope of negation to avoid ambiguity, and consider using alternatives to enhance writing variety. Understanding these nuances ensures effective communication and engagement with your audience.

Alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

what if the opposite were true

Asks to consider the contrary of a given situation, leading to exploration of alternative outcomes.

what if that wasn't true

Directly questions the truth of a statement, exploring alternative outcomes.

what if this doesn't work

Explores potential outcomes of an action that turns out not to achieve its intended outcome.

imagine if that didn't happen

Invites one to visualize a scenario where an event is omitted, prompting consideration of resulting changes.

suppose that weren't the case

Emphasizes a hypothetical scenario where a current condition is untrue, focusing on the impact of that change.

what happens if this fails

Addresses potential consequences if a stated action does not achieve its intended goal.

More alternative expressions(2)

what if instead

what if thanks

FAQs

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

Use "what if not" to introduce a hypothetical situation where a condition is not met. For example, "What if not enough people attend the meeting?"

Are there alternatives to using "what if not"?

Yes, you can use phrases like "suppose that weren't the case", "what if the opposite were true", or "assuming that's not the situation" to express similar ideas.

Is "what if not" grammatically correct?

Yes, "what if not" is grammatically correct when used to introduce a hypothetical scenario with a negated condition, as confirmed by Ludwig.

What's the difference between "what if" and "what if not"?

"What if" introduces a general hypothetical scenario, while "what if not" introduces a hypothetical scenario where a specific condition is not met or does not occur.

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Table of contents

Usage summary

Human-verified examples

Expert writing tips

Linguistic context

Ludwig's wrap-up

Alternative expressions

FAQs

Source & Trust

84%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences:

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What if notGrammar usage guide and real-world examples

What if not
Grammar usage guide and real-world examples