student asking question

How can I use "not if"?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

Good question. "If" is of course used when there is a possibility of something happening, but a condition must be met. "Not if" is used when there is a possibility of something not happening, and you say the reason why it might not happen. In the case of the video, "not if" is being used as kind of a joke. Phoebe says that she will kiss Chandler but he's saying she can't if he kisses her first. Ex: A. I'm going to marry David. B. Not if I can help it. Ex: A. They're going to get away. B. Not if I stop them.

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