Question about if used as although

Question

Hello, this is my first post here. My name is Maria Fernanda, nice to meet you all! I'll write everything in English, so I'd appreciate if you could correct any mistakes you see, if you have the time to do so. I recently learned that one can use if + adjective to mean although, so I wanted to know if these sentences I came up with are correct:

She was happy about her job interview, if a little nervous.

Your room looks nice, if messy.

In finishing his job he was quick, if inefficient.

She said the dress was nice, if old.

I had never heard if used in this way before, so I was wondering if it's common and used in everyday speech? Thanks!

Very nice to meet you Maria - Matjam, Oct 14, 2015

Answer 1

These sentences are correct and sound like something a native speaker would say.

I will add a few suggestions. In your third sentence I would say it like this, "He was quick, if inefficient, at finishing his job." What you wrote is correct. I just wanted to give you a variation on how to say it.

You have to edit the last sentence of your post to "I had never heard it (not if) used in this way....

I think you can also say "I have never heard it used..."

You may want to study the difference in meaning between the present perfect and past perfect tenses. There is a nuance in the sense of past that is meant when using one and not the other. If you do not understand what I mean send me a personal message through my profile.

Great! that you are here.

Hola, Jubi: Eres uno de los expertos de los cuales hablaba. Gracias. - Daniela2041, Oct 14, 2015

I think that Mari will be a great help here. She's a native Spanish speaker. We need more of these (us.) - Daniela2041, Oct 14, 2015

Answer 2

Sí, es inglés correcto y es also que escribiría. Pero, ten cuidado si lo usas mientras hablas. Como sinónimo de "although", es algo que suena "formal", y usualmente se restringe a libros o ensayos. No lo diría en situaciones informales.

Formal: "Your room looks nice, if messy"
Informal: "Your room looks nice, but messy"
Español: "Tu recámara me parece linda, pero desorganizada"

Answer 3

Hola Mari

No soy experta en la lengua inglesa, pero sí que los hay en SD. Ten paciencia y uno de ellos va a ver esto, y responderá con la información que deseas.

He oído este uso antes, pero no me atrevo a intentarlo.

Buena suerte en tus estudios.

Y espero que responderán más que yo (¿o es respondan?). - Jubilado, Oct 14, 2015

"respondan' - Daniela2041, Oct 15, 2015