if anything

But now, if anything, they are making too much of it.
だが今は、むしろ、彼らはそれを重視しすぎている。

チャット爺に訊いてみました。

The phrase “if anything” is often used to suggest a slight modification or addition to a statement, indicating that if there is any change or exception to what has been said, it’s the one being mentioned. Here are some examples:

  1. Clarifying or Limiting a Statement:
  • “The movie was hardly entertaining, if anything, it was quite boring.”
  • “He’s not getting better at the game, if anything, his skills are deteriorating.”
  1. Suggesting a Minimal or Subtle Effect or Presence:
  • “There’s little hope for change, if anything, it’s only a faint glimmer.”
  • “She shows no emotion, if anything, just a hint of sadness in her eyes.”
  1. Indicating a Preference or Slight Difference:
  • “I don’t need a reward for my help, if anything, just a simple thank you would be enough.”
  • “This design isn’t worse than the last, if anything, it’s slightly more refined.”
  1. Contrasting or Offering an Alternative Perspective:
  • “The new policy isn’t helping, if anything, it’s making things more complicated.”
  • “He’s not lazy, if anything, he’s too meticulous and takes longer to finish tasks.”

These examples illustrate how “if anything” can be used to refine a statement, suggest a minimal presence or effect, express a subtle preference, or offer a contrasting perspective to the main point being discussed.

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