How do I check to see if a file exists on a remote server using shell -

i have done lot of searching , can't seem find out how using shell script. basically, copying files down remote servers , want else if doesn't exist. have array below, tried reference directly, still returning false.

i brand new @ this, please kind :)

declare -a array1=('user1@user1.user.com');  in "${array1[@]}"    if [ -f "$i:/home/user/directory/file" ];         stuff    else      other stuff    fi done 

assuming using scp , ssh remote connections should want.

declare -a array1=('user1@user1.user.com');  in "${array1[@]}";     if ssh -q "$i" "test -f /home/user/directory/file";         scp "$i:/home/user/directory/file" /local/path     else         echo 'could not access remote file.'     fi done 

alternatively, if don't need care difference between remote file not existing , other possible scp errors following work.

declare -a array1=('user1@user1.user.com');  in "${array1[@]}";     if ! scp "$i:/home/user/directory/file" /local/path;         echo 'remote file did not exist.'     fi done