phrase · neutral
If anything
UK/ɪf ˈɛnɪθɪŋ/US/ɪf ˈɛniθɪŋ/IF·AN·y·THING
used to introduce a statement that makes a contrast or to strengthen a point in the opposite direction
Examples
“The new law didn't reduce crime; if anything, crime rates rose.”
“I don't dislike the idea; if anything, I'm slightly in favour of it.”
“The film wasn't boring; if anything, it was a bit too long.”
Band 8 sentence
“The policy did not alleviate congestion; if anything, it shifted traffic to surrounding streets.”
Collocations
- If anything, ...
- if anything + clause
Word family
Common mistakes
If any thing, the car was faster.→If anything, the car was faster.
On the contrary, the measure helped.→If anything, the measure helped.
Say it for a higher band
5Actually→6On the contrary→7+If anything
Synonyms
on the contrary
Easily confused
On the contrary
“On the contrary, the evidence supports the hypothesis.”
Related words
Learn this word with the rest of its set, and get reminded at the right time.
In Emphasis & conclusion
Learn it with its set