Example sentences of "if [not/n't] [adv] [adj] " in BNC.
Next page| No | Sentence |
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| 1 | In order to do this , however , Britain must herself become in some degree protectionist and place tariffs on foreign imports of at least the things which the Dominions had to sell to her — above all , food , if not also raw materials . |
| 2 | When Clinger suggested that one of his lordship 's servants might like to do that , Dersingham said , what was Clinger if not just that . |
| 3 | Others are more subtle , if not downright clever , like the frog-hopper or spittle-bug that , instead of spitting back the sap it does n't want — like greenfly — uses it to surround itself in a frothy mass that hides and protects it from predatory birds and also prevents the soft-skinned body from drying out . |
| 4 | Chapter 31 , Personal Reference Libraries , identifies some of the many dictionaries now available to aid the researcher , and those listed are recommended as desirable if not downright essential . |
| 5 | Guarded , if not downright timid , in his attitude to women , Lewis mysteriously lets an American admirer , Joy Davidman , become closely acquainted with him . |
| 6 | It would be very difficult , if not downright negligent , for such a scheme to fail when it has been overloaded with money . |
| 7 | But the ways of Clough are complex and , to the outsider , often strange if not downright perverse . |
| 8 | The ‘ genderless norm ’ — purporting to speak for the whole of humanity — has once and for all been revealed as eminently qualifiable , if not downright specious . |
| 9 | She was well aware that it would seem thoroughly feeble — if not downright pathetic — to refuse to accompany him to New York simply because they had been separated for almost five years . |
| 10 | And it probably was stupid — if not downright ridiculous — for her to be still technically married to a man she had n't seen for almost five years . |
| 11 | But if they were supposed to be keeping up the fiction about being happily married — a second honeymoon , indeed ! — then it was going to look a bit odd , if not downright peculiar , if he did n't spend his nights here in the cottage . |
| 12 | I know we 've argued all these years and I 've been irritable , if not downright rude , but … but … ’ and Creggan was astonished to see that this fiercest of eagles was suddenly close to a profound grief and for a few moments quite unable to say anything more . |
| 13 | The gulls were in good voice , however , soaring and shrieking overhead in a fickle , shifting breeze , and Harry was surprised how contented if not downright happy he felt , sitting in the shelter nearest the clock and gazing out at the white horses in the bay . |
| 14 | Her father was cross with her , if not downright angry , and she felt like weeping inside . |
| 15 | This is all about maverick tendencies making themselves heard , about imaginations running wild — if not downright livid . |
| 16 | Contemporary blueprints focus on the next three years , and their targets are modest , if not downright pessimistic . |
| 17 | Nosewheel steering is light and the brakes are satisfactory if not particularly powerful . |
| 18 | Nevertheless , The Scotsman 's impressive survey of values among young people this week has produced some interesting if not particularly comforting facts . |
| 19 | In the absence of Wright and Nicol , Mr Moran employed the large , if not particularly mobile , central defensive partnership of Molby and Tanner . |
| 20 | It was humid if not particularly warm , and he was stripped to the vest . |
| 21 | This is unexceptionable , if not particularly helpful . |
| 22 | He shrugged and said that he loved her , which was reassuring to hear if not particularly helpful . |
| 23 | Madame Weber had clearly decided that this brilliant , if not particularly wealthy , young man would make an admirable son-in-law . |
| 24 | Second on the grid was the result , but Damon was philosophical , if not particularly happy . |
| 25 | Dillon LJ doubted the distinction between the two sorts of decisions : " Even speaking valuations may say much or little ; they may be voluble or taciturn if not wholly dumb . " |
| 26 | Blackwell produced an ingenious if not wholly convincing scheme for a land bank , to provide credit and to help overcome the colony 's chronic shortage of specie . |
| 27 | But lack of sleep due to the four-hour night watches was a perfectly reasonable , if not wholly true , explanation for both . |
| 28 | But that end you ought to have had a firm , if not wholly clear idea of from the earliest thought you gave to your story . |
| 29 | French intellectual life , largely marxisant if not wholly Marxist , provided a substantial and supportive hinterland to the New Left . |
| 30 | If this prophecy conveys anything of the sentiments of the Crowland community at the time , it must have been from congenial company hostile to Penda 's descendants that Aethelbald emerged to establish himself as king in Mercia , if not when Ceolred died ( ASC A , s.a. , 716 ) then certainly when an otherwise unknown Ceolwald , who may have succeeded Ceolred , died or was driven out . |