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Anonymous Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

If not or if no

Hi. Please help. I think we can use either "If not" and "If no" as part of a corollary to the type of the questions like "Is he here?"

Q: Is he here?

A: If not, where is he?

Or,

A: If no, where is he?

But I think only "If not" is correct as part of a corollary to the type of the questions like "Does he play tennis?"

Q: Does he play tennis?

A: If no (not "If not"), what kind of sport does he play?

Also I think the "If no" version is not correct for a narrative, like here:

He wasn't at home. I wondered, "If not (not "If no"), where he could be." He was found at his friend's house.
  

Top answer

Q: Is he here? A: If not, where is he? Or, A: If no, where is he?

— Mister Micawber

  • Q: Is he here?
  • A: If not, where is he?
  • Or, A: If no, where is he?
  • "- - I don't think this is relevant.
  • Q: Does he play tennis?
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2 Answers
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Q: Is he here?

A: If not, where is he?

Or,

A: If no, where is he?-- Casual only

But I think only "If not" is correct as part of a corollary to the type of the questions like "Does he play tennis?"-- I don't think this is relevant.

Q: Does he play tennis?

A: If no (not "If not"), what kind of s
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AnonymousQ: Is he here?
A: If not, where is he?
Or,
A: If no, where is he?
Note that you portray all of these as if there were a questioner and answerer. This is not correct. Both parts belong to the questioner.

Q: Is he here? (And) if not, where is he?

Q: Does he play tennis? (And) if not, what sport does he play?

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