are definitely not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are definitely not" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize a strong negation or disagreement regarding a statement or belief. Example: "These results are definitely not what we expected from the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They are definitely not pawns.

The New York Times - Magazine

They are definitely not dangerous.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They are definitely not behaving themselves.

The New York Times

They are definitely not in the army.

The New York Times

South Africans are definitely not xenophobic.

The Guardian

Windfarms are definitely not the answer.

The Guardian

Which are definitely not Dr Who.

The Guardian

"They are definitely not Fred Leighton".

The New York Times - Style

– Owlyross You are definitely not alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

2 human-written examples

These are definitely *not* the right questions.

Huffington Post

" [We are] definitely not dating.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are definitely not" to express a strong disagreement or negation, ensuring clarity and emphasis in your statement. This phrase leaves little room for interpretation.

Common error

Avoid using strong negations like "are definitely not" excessively, as it can make your writing sound overly aggressive or confrontational. Opt for milder alternatives when appropriate to maintain a balanced tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are definitely not" functions as a strong negation, emphatically denying a statement. According to Ludwig, its structure unequivocally conveys disagreement or refutation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are definitely not" serves as a robust tool for expressing strong negation across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and frequent usage. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone and context to avoid overuse and maintain a balanced writing style. Alternatives like "are certainly not" or "are absolutely not" can offer a more formal or emphatic tone, respectively. The phrase is commonly found in News & Media, Science, and Wiki sources, highlighting its widespread applicability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are certainly not

Replaces "definitely" with "certainly", offering a slightly more formal tone.

are absolutely not

Substitutes "definitely" with "absolutely" for emphasis.

are undoubtedly not

Replaces "definitely" with "undoubtedly", indicating a lack of doubt.

are most certainly not

Adds "most" before "certainly" for additional emphasis.

are clearly not

Replaces "definitely" with "clearly", focusing on the obviousness of the negation.

are by no means

Offers a more idiomatic way to express strong negation.

are in no way

Similar to "by no means", but with a slightly different construction.

are far from being

Expresses that something is not close to a particular state or condition.

do not even begin to

Emphasizes a complete lack of a particular quality or attribute.

couldn't be further from

Indicates that something is the opposite of what is being implied.

FAQs

How can I use "are definitely not" in a sentence?

Use "are definitely not" to strongly negate a statement or idea. For example, "These rumors are definitely not true."

What are some alternatives to "are definitely not"?

You can use alternatives like "are certainly not", "are absolutely not", or "are undoubtedly not" to convey a similar meaning with slightly different emphasis.

Is it okay to use "are definitely not" in formal writing?

While "are definitely not" is acceptable, more formal alternatives like "are certainly not" or "are by no means" might be preferred in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "are definitely not" and "are probably not"?

"Are definitely not" expresses a strong conviction or certainty about something being false, while "are probably not" indicates a lower degree of certainty or a possibility that something may not be true.