Sarunnio Posted 11 years ago
Vocabulary
If not
What does "if not" mean in the given context below? (I'm referreing to 'if not' construct highlighted in bold at the end of the last sentence.)
I guess one who says that might mean it's still possible that the downtrend would resume later this week.
However, chance is slim and it has a higher possibility that the above-said will rather happen next week.
Do I understand its meaning in the given context correctly?
Any clear explanation of the meaning would be very much appreciated.
"As you can see the S&P500 broke through its 200 day moving average in early November.It is never surprising to see a retest of such important support prior to resuming its downtrend. This is what we anticipate, a move up of a couple percentage points which burns off overbought indicators on markets.
We do think think this is a 'dead cat bounce, with the downtrend expected to resume next week if not later this week."
I guess one who says that might mean it's still possible that the downtrend would resume later this week.
However, chance is slim and it has a higher possibility that the above-said will rather happen next week.
Do I understand its meaning in the given context correctly?
Any clear explanation of the meaning would be very much appreciated.
"As you can see the S&P500 broke through its 200 day moving average in early November.It is never surprising to see a retest of such important support prior to resuming its downtrend. This is what we anticipate, a move up of a couple percentage points which burns off overbought indicators on markets.
We do think think this is a 'dead cat bounce, with the downtrend expected to resume next week if not later this week."
Top answer
The author expects that one of these things will happen: 1) the downtrend will resume next week 2) the downtrend will resume later this week In this case, "if not" may give the impression that (2) is a more extreme case than (1). However, the nuance of "if not" can be rather ambiguous.
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The author expects that one of these things will happen:
1) the downtrend will resume next week
2) the downtrend will resume later this week
In this case, "if not" may give the impression that (2) is a more extreme case than (1). However, the nuance of "if not" can be rather ambiguous.
1) the downtrend will resume next week
2) the downtrend will resume later this week
In this case, "if not" may give the impression that (2) is a more extreme case than (1). However, the nuance of "if not" can be rather ambiguous.
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