suprunp
Senior Member
- Joined
- Apr 27, 2011
- Member Type
- Student or Learner
- Native Language
- Ukrainian
- Home Country
- Ukraine
- Current Location
- Ukraine
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition
4. : even though : although perhaps
an interesting if untenable argument
5. : and perhaps not even
few if any changes are expected
— often used with not
difficult if not impossible
Can there be an 'overlap' between these two meanings or is it impossible on the whole?
(What I'm trying to say is: [for example] Is it possible to understand the phrase it is difficult if possible either as it is difficult although perhaps it is possible or as it is difficult and perhaps not even possible?
Thanks.
4. : even though : although perhaps
an interesting if untenable argument
5. : and perhaps not even
few if any changes are expected
— often used with not
difficult if not impossible
Can there be an 'overlap' between these two meanings or is it impossible on the whole?
(What I'm trying to say is: [for example] Is it possible to understand the phrase it is difficult if possible either as it is difficult although perhaps it is possible or as it is difficult and perhaps not even possible?
Thanks.