about it not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "about it not" is not standard and may be confusing in written English.
It could be used in informal contexts where someone is trying to express a negation related to a topic previously mentioned. Example: "I was thinking about it not being a good idea to go out tonight."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

But be clever about it, not crass".

The Guardian

"I didn't feel right about it not being there anymore".

The New York Times

"Everybody was upset about it, not only the French".

The New York Times

Go and ask them about it, not me".

The Guardian - Sport

"I'm sick about it not working on me.

The Guardian

"We all hear rumours and hear stories about it not being a particularly happy camp.

Independent

He has absolutely nothing to say about it — not now or ever.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

I can't stand to think about it -- not when I'm being Me.

Huffington Post

No. Did I ask my parents about it -- not that I remember.

Huffington Post

Try to do it with friends who will laugh about it -- not who will get mad if you do bad.

WikiHow

When the feedback was not what women wanted to hear, resolution could be achieved by avoiding health professionals, who 'aren't human about it'notnot listening'.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "about it not", consider if rephrasing for clarity would improve your sentence. Often, placing the negation directly before the verb or using a different verb construction results in more direct and easily understood writing.

Common error

Avoid using "about it not" in contexts where the reader might misinterpret what is being negated. Ensure that the scope of the negation is immediately clear to prevent confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "about it not" functions as a prepositional phrase with an embedded negation. It modifies a verb or noun, indicating a lack of consideration or a negative perspective regarding a specific subject. Ludwig examples showcase its usage in varied contexts, though Ludwig suggests that clearer alternatives often exist.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Wiki

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "about it not" appears in a variety of sources, especially in News & Media, it is often seen as somewhat awkward and can be replaced by clearer alternatives. According to Ludwig AI, phrases like "regarding it not" or rephrasing for more direct negation are usually preferable, enhancing readability. Therefore, while its usage isn't strictly incorrect, careful consideration should be given to context and clarity when choosing to use "about it not" in writing. Because there are a lot of examples and that it can be used, Ludwig marked its grammatical status as acceptable.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

regarding it not

Replaces "about" with "regarding", maintaining the focus on the subject but offering a slightly more formal tone.

concerning it not

Substitutes "about" with "concerning", providing a similar meaning while sounding slightly more formal.

thinking of it differently

Shifts the focus to a different perspective on the same subject.

not considering it

Emphasizes the lack of consideration given to the subject.

not being concerned about it

Highlights a lack of worry or interest in the subject.

not worrying about it

Focuses specifically on the absence of worry regarding the subject.

ignoring it

Indicates a deliberate act of disregarding the subject.

disregarding it

Implies a conscious decision to ignore the subject.

not knowing about it

Highlights a lack of awareness or information about the subject.

being unaware of it

Indicates a state of not knowing about the subject.

FAQs

How can I rephrase a sentence using "about it not" for clarity?

Instead of saying "I was thinking about it not being a good idea", try "I was thinking it wasn't a good idea" or "I didn't think it was a good idea". These alternatives are generally clearer and more direct.

What are some alternatives to "about it not"?

You can use phrases like "regarding it not", "concerning it not", or rephrase the sentence to use a more direct negation, such as "I am "not concerned about it"".

Is "about it not" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly incorrect, "about it not" can sound awkward or unclear. Rephrasing the sentence to use a more standard construction is often preferable for improved readability.

When is it acceptable to use "about it not"?

It might be acceptable in informal speech or writing where a slightly unconventional style is desired. However, in formal contexts, it's best to opt for clearer, more direct alternatives.