What does “if” mean here? “... if at times depressing”

Question

I've just read a phrase in my Cambridge book which is:

It is compelling, if at times depressing.

My question is about the word if: What does it mean, in this case? Could I interpret it as: "It is so compelling that tends to be depressing"?

P.S.: In the book says that "if", in this case, introduces a negative idea.

Substitute the word 'but' for 'if' and see if it makes sense now. — Cascabel_StandWithUkraine_, Apr 16 '20 at 14:13
Does it help to say that you can substitute 'albeit' here? Or 'even though/if it is'? More precisely, 'if' here introduces a mitigating (contrastive without being negating) statement. — Edwin Ashworth, Apr 16 '20 at 14:47
No you cannot infer that if here means therefore or tends to. The phrase if at times means that it happens once in a while. The equivalent phrase would be "It is compelling, so much so that sometimes it is depressing." You could remove the if and say It is compelling—at times depressing but you could not use a comma here. The if allows the comma and if at times should be treated as an idiom. — Martin Krzywinski, Apr 16 '20 at 20:54
@AllanRodrigues The answer depends a little on what it is. If it is e.g., a film or play, then: It is compelling, if, at times, depressing. -> It is compelling, although, in some parts [of the story/film/play]), it is depressing. No semicolon is required. — Greybeard, Apr 17 '20 at 10:19

score 4 · Answer 1 · answered Apr 16 '20 at 14:52

4

If is used in that case more like a version of "although" or "even though":

if conj
2. Although possibly; even though: It is a handsome if useless trinket.
_{TFD Online}

Pay special attention to the robust usage note there.

answered Apr 16 '20 at 14:52

Robusto

151,571

Thank you, Robusto! – Allan Rodrigues Apr 16 '20 at 15:59
1

@Allan: You realize the answer you accepted is wrong, don't you? – Robusto Apr 16 '20 at 16:04
@Robusto Could you enlighten my as to why it is wrong? – Oliver Mason Apr 16 '20 at 16:10
@Allan: Because if doesn't baldly mean however. However is a direct contradiction, and the way if is used in this case is more nuanced. It grants the possibility that a thing may be useless without stressing that point. – Robusto Apr 16 '20 at 16:14
@Robusto Sorry, I disagree. However is not a direct contradiction, and is perfectly adequate to express the nuance in this case. – Oliver Mason Apr 16 '20 at 16:18
Anyway, I have to say thank you for both, as you all helped me to get the idea. – Allan Rodrigues Apr 16 '20 at 16:24

Oliver Mason · Accepted Answer · 2020-04-17T08:38:02.267

0

The if in this sentence is roughly equivalent to however, as in

It is compelling, however, it is at times depressing.

Note: Some people might feel that however is too strong; this I believe depends on one's personal idiolect.

The Cobuild Grammar (section 8.72) calls this construction a concessive clause.

In general, the if in that construction implies reservation, as for example:

Many libraries have little if any control over their patrons.

or introduces a contrast as in

she was honest, if a little brutal’

Other synonyms (which can be used instead of if in this context) are

although
albeit
but
even though
even if
despite being
in spite of being
yet
whilst

(Source: Lexico Dictionary)

So the second clause is a limitation/restriction on the first one. Whatever is compelling, is also sometimes depressing, and that might want you to argue against it.

edited Apr 17 '20 at 08:38

answered Apr 16 '20 at 14:13

Oliver Mason

3,244

I think I would put a semi-colon before 'however'. (https://english.stackexchange.com/questions/389239/could-it-be-correct-to-have-the-word-however-flanked-by-two-commas) – Cascabel_StandWithUkraine_ Apr 16 '20 at 14:24
@Rattler yes, you could. – Oliver Mason Apr 16 '20 at 14:30
Thank you, Oliver Mason! I wouldn´t have had this point of view (the 2nd clause as a limitation on the first one). – Allan Rodrigues Apr 16 '20 at 15:58

What does “if” mean here? “... if at times depressing”

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