Language Navigator

From: Translation Bureau

Language Navigator allows you to search by keyword or by theme to quickly find answers to questions about language or writing in English and French. To learn more about this search engine, consult the section entitled About Language Navigator.

New to Language Navigator? Learn how to search for content in Language Navigator.

Search by keyword

Search fields

Search by theme

Search by theme to quickly access all of the Portal’s language resources related to a specific theme.

About Language Navigator

Language Navigator simultaneously searches all of the writing tools, quizzes and blog posts on the Language Portal of Canada. It gives you access to everything you need to write well in English and French: articles on language difficulties, linguistic recommendations, conjugation tables, translation suggestions and much more.

To translate a term or to find answers to terminology questions in a specialized field, please consult TERMIUM Plus®.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Results 1 to 2 of 2 (page 1 of 1)

if and when, when and if

A writing tip on the phrase if and when (or when and if).
Either if or when alone is usually enough, but the phrases if and when and when and if are sometimes used to emphasize the uncertainty of a future event. If (If and when) you do reach the mountaintop, be sure to take pictures. Lifeguards are trained to act quickly when and if emergencies occur. When and if they reached the New World, the captives were sold as slaves. (= When they reached the New World, and if they survived the journey …)
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,341

if not

A writing tip on phrases that use the words if not.
Phrases with the words if not are heard often, but they are not always clear. These two little words can take on different meanings depending on the context. Nothing if not = definitely Nothing if not acts as an intensifier and means “definitely” or “certainly.” Bad spelling is nothing if not annoying. Here, the meaning is clear: Bad spelling is definitely annoying. Most, if not all = and possibly all Similar phrases, such as most, if not all, can be very confusing. You should avoid this phrase unless you are discussing a truly uncertain situation. Here is a logical use of that phrase: Scientists believe that most, if not all, black butterflies live in South America. The scientists are not positive that all black butterflies live in South America, so they are being cautious. Here, if not all means “and possibly all.” (Note that a comma is needed before and after if not all.) If not = although not Often, if not phrases are used to connect strong and weak descriptors: Alex’s welcome was pleasant, if not enthusiastic. Because enthusiastic is a stronger word than pleasant, we understand this sentence to mean that the welcome was not unpleasant but not very enthusiastic, either. Here, the phrase if not means “although not.” If not = or even In a similar sentence, if not may mean “or even”: You will receive an answer in a matter of hours, if not minutes. Here, the emphasis is on a rapid response: your answer will arrive in hours, or even minutes. As you can see, the meaning of if not changes according to the context. Our advice: be very careful when using those two little words!
Source: Writing Tips Plus (English language problems and rules)
Number of views: 1,042

Perform a new search in the Language Navigator

Filter your results

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By language

By writing tool

By content type

By English theme

Questions and comments

Related links

Report a problem or mistake on this page
Please select all that apply:

Thank you for your help!

You will not receive a reply. For enquiries, contact us.

Date modified: