If rather neglected

[nyggus]

From Jane Walsh, "Not like this":

"It was a pleasant room whose windows looked out on to a large if not neglected part of the grounds."

The if not neglected fragment is what I can't fully understand. Any help?

Nyggus

[Anglika]

It's not a good sentence as it stands . Your header reads "if rather neglected", whereas the text says "if not neglected" - is there a mistake somewhere?

[svartnik]

From Jane Walsh, "Not like this":
"It was a pleasant room whose windows looked out on to a large if not neglected part of the grounds."
The if not neglected fragment is what I can't fully understand. Any help?
Nyggus

possibly not neglected part of the grounds

[nyggus]

It's not a good sentence as it stands . Your header reads "if rather neglected", whereas the text says "if not neglected" - is there a mistake somewhere?

Indeed, sorry!!! It should be as the header says:
"It was a pleasant room whose windows looked out on to a large if rather neglected part of the grounds."
What's going on with this "if rather neglected"?

Nyggus

[Anglika]

Ah, that's better! It means that the large garden was not being cared for, so its grass was a bit long, and the bushes are shaggy, and the beds have weeds in them.

[nyggus]

Ah, that's better! It means that the large garden was not being cared for, so its grass was a bit long, and the bushes are shaggy, and the beds have weeds in them.

As I get it, what you wrote means "if rather neglected"? Can you use an if-rather construction with other words?

Thanks a lot!
Nyggus