Example of Correct Use If Not And If Not

The expressions if not and if not, are frequently confused, since they are homophones (they sound the same), but their uses are quite different. If we do not want to make mistakes, but to write well, let's learn the use of each expression.

Otherwise:

If not, in a single word, it is used as a noun or as a conjunction.

Conjunction:

The most frequent use of sin is as an adversative conjunction. An adversative conjunction is one that serves to confront two contradictory or mutually exclusive ideas, denying the first and affirming the second:

I'm not tired, otherwise hungry.
He did not eat, otherwise devoured.

As an adversative conjunction it is also used to express an exception in a negative sentence:

Does not want sweets, otherwise chocolate.
I do not want to see anybody, otherwise to my cousin.

It is also used as a correlative conjunction. A correlative conjunction serves to complement or add an attribute in the main sentence:

I'm not just hungry otherwise thirst.
He not only brought the children, otherwise to pets.

Noun:

A less frequent use is as a noun. Else means predestination, destiny or doom. Fatal does not mean tragic, but refers to something inevitable, positive or negative:

He's a lucky guy, his otherwise is to be rich.
Me otherwise is to work a lifetime.

But it also has the meaning, currently of little use, of sign or omen, as a word derived from sign:

And suddenly a otherwise she made me think there was something serious going on.
An old woman was doing the otherwise from the cross.

A very infrequent use of fate is to refer to a defect or to "put a but" to something:

That car just me, its otherwise is that it is blue.
I like the computer, the price is your otherwise.

But:

This expression is made up of the conditional yes, and the negative adverb no. It is used to express what happens (consequence) in case something does not happen (condition). The condition is always a negative proposition, while the consequence can be an affirmative or negative proposition. If the negative conditional is not met, then the consequence is not met:

But it's raining, we'll go to the park.
But you eat, we don't go to the movies.

Sometimes the consequence can be written before the condition, and the construction "if not" remains in the middle of the sentence:

We will go for a walk but it's getting late.
We will not eat sweets but we finished the meal.

It is also used in interrogative sentences, to indicate the possibility or the reason for something happening or that it may not happen:

You will go but comes?
He said to you but did she want to go to the party?

If not, it is also used to express that something may be different from what is initially proposed. In these cases, it is equivalent to "even":

The afternoon was calm but silent (the afternoon was calm, even silent)
The suit of her was clear, but white (her outfit was clear, even white)

Si no is also used as an affirmative expression, to emphasize an expression or as an invitation to verify what has just been affirmed. In general, it is written at the end of the sentence or between commas:

Yes I spent all the money you gave me, get the check but.
You know that I always help you. Who but?

Example of sentences with but and if not:

Sentences with fate:

1. I will not arrive in the morning, but at noon.
2. I don't use a razor, but a razor.
3. I don't use a computer, but paper and pencil.
4. I have no appetite, just tired.
5. We will not go to the cinema, but to the stadium.
6. Don't buy beans, but beans.
7. We will not only go to the park, but to the zoo.
8. We will not walk to the center, but we will take a taxi.
9. He is not only lazy, but rude.
10. That text only confuses me.
11. Nobody but you understand those scribbles.
12. The chemistry is not difficult, but a bit complicated.
13. I did not feel the hard but the thick.
14. Hyenas are not only scavengers, they occasionally hunt.
15. Chess not only develops concentration, it trains strategy.
16. Not only did he take me to the party, he brought me home.
17. There are those who think that the fate of the poor is to suffer.
18. On the night of April 15, 1912, the fateful fate of the Titanic was fulfilled.
19. The fate of a teacher is to educate the young.
20. The fate of those packages is Singapore.
21. Esoteric texts are understood by no one but the initiates.
22. It is not new, but well cared for.
23. That scar is his fate.
24. Those clouds are the fate of the rain.
25. The fate of your food is that you do not put salt.

Sentences with yes no:

1. If he wasn't so tired, he would accompany you.
2. You want me to present you money. If not?
3. He was happy, if not euphoric.
4. His words are hurtful, if not insulting.
5. If you don't come, you won't reach.
6. If you don't want to eat, I'm not going to force you.
7. If it doesn't rain today, I'll be able to go outside.
8. The weather is rainy, if not stormy.
9. He is lazy, if not lazy.
10. If I don't hurry, I'll be late.
11. If you don't come back, I'll be left alone.
12. If you hadn't seen it, would you have believed me?
13. If you don't put that phone down, your brain is going to dry up.
14. If I don't study, I will fail the semester.
15. If you don't reinforce the seam, it will break.
16. If you don't read the newspapers, how will you find out?
17. If you don't drink enough water, you can feel tired.
18. That tall person is surely Gregorio, who else?
19. I'll bring the sodas, if not, you give me a punishment.
20. He said he would pass us the guide, if not, I already know where to get it.
21. If you don't lend us a hammer, we'll have to buy it.
22. If you don't hurry there is no dessert.
23. Bring me the screwdriver, if not, this will fall apart.
24. If you don't study, how do you want to know?
25. Let's learn from mistakes, if not, our fate is to repeat them.