am not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "am not" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as part of a contraction with a subject pronoun, such as "I am not," to express negation. Example: "I am not going to the party tonight."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So I am not".

The New York Times - Sports

I am not pleased.

The New York Times

I am not lying".

The New York Times - Books

I am not satisfied.

Independent

"I am not surprised.

The New York Times

I am not arrogant.

Independent

I am not 37.

The New Yorker

I am not hiding.

Independent

I am not fake.

The Guardian - Sport

I am not intrusive.

Independent

I am not going.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "am not", ensure it aligns with the subject "I". Avoid using it with other subjects; use "is not" or "are not" instead.

Common error

Avoid using "am not" with subjects other than "I". A common mistake is to use it with "he", "she", or "it". For instance, do not say "He am not going"; instead, say "He is not going".

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "am not" is to negate a statement when used with the first-person singular pronoun "I". Ludwig AI confirms this usage across numerous examples where "am not" serves to deny or contradict a preceding statement or assumption.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "am not" is a grammatically sound and commonly used phrase for expressing negation in the first-person singular, as validated by Ludwig AI. While its contracted form, "I'm not", is more prevalent in informal contexts, "am not" maintains a neutral register applicable across diverse domains, including news, science, and business. Remember to reserve "am not" exclusively for use with "I" to uphold grammatical accuracy. Understanding these nuances will empower you to utilize this phrase effectively in your writing and communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I'm not

Contraction of "I am not", more informal.

I am not at all

Emphasizes the negation to the highest degree.

I'm definitely not

Adds emphasis to the negation with "definitely".

I am certainly not

Adds emphasis to the negation with "certainly".

I'm absolutely not

Adds emphasis to the negation with "absolutely".

ain't

Informal contraction, generally considered nonstandard.

I do not

Emphasizes the negation; used for clarity or contradiction.

I am far from

Indicates a significant difference or distance from something.

I am nowhere near

Indicates that something is not close to being true.

I couldn't be

Expresses impossibility or strong negation in a different structure.

FAQs

How to use "am not" in a sentence?

"Am not" is typically used with the first-person singular pronoun "I" to form a negative statement. For example, "I am not going to the store today."

What can I say instead of "am not"?

You can use the contraction "I'm not" which is a more common and informal alternative. Another less common alternative is "ain't" but be aware that some people find it ungrammatical or unsophisticated.

Which is correct, "I am not" or "I aren't"?

"I am not" is grammatically correct. "I aren't" is generally considered incorrect in standard English, although it may be used in some dialects. "I'm not" is the contracted form of "I am not" and is widely accepted.

What's the difference between "am not", "is not", and "are not"?

"Am not" is used with the first-person singular pronoun "I". "Is not" is used with third-person singular pronouns (he, she, it) and singular nouns. "Are not" is used with second-person pronouns (you), first-person plural pronouns (we), third-person plural pronouns (they), and plural nouns. For example, "I am not going", "He is not going", and "They are not going".