are absolutely not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are absolutely not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a strong negation or refusal regarding a statement or situation. Example: "These claims about our product are absolutely not true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

50 human-written examples

They are absolutely not all created equal.

Harvard University

Hunt's proposals are absolutely not workable.

The Guardian

"You are absolutely not in control.

The Guardian

He added: "We are absolutely not calling for a strike".

The New York Times

"You are absolutely not a wimp," she said.

The New York Times

"We're not done; we are absolutely not done," Walsh said.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

"It's absolutely not.

The Guardian

That's absolutely not true".

The New York Times - Magazine

Carr: There is absolutely not.

The Guardian

That is absolutely not true".

The New York Times

It is absolutely not correct.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are absolutely not" to express a strong and unequivocal denial or disagreement, especially when clarifying misunderstandings or correcting misinformation.

Common error

While "are absolutely not" is grammatically correct, excessive use can make your writing sound overly forceful or unnatural in casual conversation. Opt for alternatives like "are definitely not" or "are not at all" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of the phrase "are absolutely not" is to serve as a strong negation. It emphasizes the untruth or impossibility of a statement. Ludwig confirms its correct usage across numerous contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are absolutely not" functions as a strong negation, effectively conveying denial or disagreement. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best to consider context and choose softer alternatives in informal settings. The phrase is useful for clearly correcting misinformation or firmly stating a position. While authoritative, overuse might render your writings as unnaturally strong, depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are definitely not

This alternative conveys a similar level of certainty but uses a more common adverb.

are certainly not

Replaces "absolutely" with "certainly", maintaining a high degree of confidence in the negation.

are in no way

This emphasizes that something is not the case under any circumstances.

are by no means

Similar to "in no way", this underscores the impossibility of something being true.

are not at all

This alternative provides a slightly less emphatic but still firm denial.

are positively not

Uses "positively" to add emphasis to the negation, though it can sound slightly formal.

are unequivocally not

Emphasizes that there is no doubt or ambiguity in the negation.

are undeniably not

Asserts that the negation is impossible to dispute or deny.

are assuredly not

Conveys a sense of confidence and certainty in the negation.

are unquestionably not

Indicates that the negation is beyond any doubt or question.

FAQs

How to use "are absolutely not" in a sentence?

"Are absolutely not" is used to strongly negate something. For example, "These rumors are absolutely not true" emphasizes that the rumors are false.

What can I say instead of "are absolutely not"?

You can use alternatives like "are definitely not", "are certainly not", or "are in no way" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "are absolutely not" or "are not absolutely"?

"Are absolutely not" is the standard and more common phrasing. "Are not absolutely" is grammatically unusual and less impactful.

Is "are absolutely not" too strong for some situations?

Yes, while grammatically sound, "are absolutely not" can sound overly emphatic. Consider using softer alternatives like "are not really" or "are not quite" in less serious contexts.