It is not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "It is not" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to negate a statement or clarify that something does not exist or is not the case. Example: "It is not true that I forgot your birthday."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not love.

The New Yorker

It is not contracting".

The New York Times

It is not fashion.

The New York Times

It is not happening.

The Economist

It is not credible.

The New York Times

It is not judgemental.

Independent

It is not personal".

The New York Times

"It is not needed.

The Economist

It is not stenography.

The Economist

It is not destiny.

The Economist

It is not Jacobson's.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "It is not" to clearly negate a statement or idea. It's suitable for both formal and informal writing, providing clarity and directness.

Common error

While "It isn't" is acceptable in informal contexts, stick to the full form "It is not" in formal writing to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "It is not" serves as a negation, directly contradicting or denying a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a grammatically sound way to express disagreement or to state that something is not the case. The phrase introduces a contrasting idea or fact.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "It is not" is a fundamental tool for negation in English, used across diverse contexts to express disagreement, contradiction, or clarification. Ludwig AI confirms it as grammatically correct and frequently used. While contractions like "it isn't" offer informality, "It is not" maintains a neutral to formal tone suitable for professional, academic, and journalistic writing. Its prevalence in authoritative sources such as The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian underscores its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

That is not

Uses "that" instead of "it" for a more direct reference.

It isn't

Contraction of "it is not", making it less formal.

This is not

Uses "this" instead of "it", typically referring to something closer or more immediate.

It does not

Emphasizes the lack of action or characteristic.

It's not

Contracted form, suitable for informal contexts.

That isn't

Contracted form using "that", making it informal.

It fails to be

More formal and descriptive way to express negation.

This isn't

Contracted form using "this", making it informal.

It cannot be

Expresses impossibility or strong negation.

Contrary to that

Introduces a statement that opposes a previous one.

FAQs

What can I say instead of "It is not"?

You can use alternatives like "That is not", "It isn't", or "This is not" depending on the context. For a more formal tone, consider "It fails to be" or "It cannot be".

How to use "It is not" in a sentence?

Use "It is not" to negate a statement or clarify that something is not the case. For example, "It is not true that I forgot your birthday."

Which is correct, "It is not" or "It isn't"?

Both are correct, but "It is not" is more formal, while "It isn't" is a contraction suitable for informal contexts.

What's the difference between "It is not" and "That is not"?

"It is not" generally refers to something previously mentioned or understood. "That is not" typically refers to something more specific or immediate.