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Mercutio Posted 8 years ago
Grammar

Phrase meaning and use of verbs

I am not-British speaker(Danish) and have 2 questions: 1) What is the meaning of "if not" in the context of a phrase like this:" He is a fine, if not world class player(musician)" - does "if not" here mean "but not actually" or quite the opposite:"arguably even"?

2) I very frequently see English speakers use expressions such as:"CONVINCE somebody to do something". Is that good English? Can you use "convince" as a transitory verb. I would say that it is not transitory, and that you can use to describe your own belief:"I am convinced"; if you manage to make somebody else share your conviction, you PERSUADE him. Or am I wrong?

  

Top answer

mercutio I am not -British a native speaker of English. I speak Danis h, and I have two questions: 1) What is the meaning of "if not" in the context of a phrase like thi s? " He is a fine, if not world class player(musician) ".

  • mercutio I am not -British a native speaker of English.
  • I speak Danis h, and I have two questions: 1) What is the meaning of "if not" in the context of a phrase like thi s?
  • " He is a fine, if not world class player(musician) ".
  • D oes "if not" here mean "but not actually ", or quite the opposit e "arguably even"?
  • It means the latter.
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1 Answers
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mercutio

I am not -British a native speaker of English. I speak Danish, and I have two questions:

1) What is the meaning of "if not" in the context of a phrase like thi

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