are not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express the negative form of a verb in the present tense. For example: "They are not here right now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Viruses are not bacteria are not parasites.

The New York Times - Health

They are not regulated".

The New York Times

"These are not idiots.

The New York Times

"We are not puppets.

The New York Times

Supplies are not.

The Economist

We are not present.

The New Yorker

Mothers are not immune.

The New York Times

(These are not cheap).

The New York Times - Arts

We are not invalids.

The New York Times

They are not racist.

Independent

But others are not.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing, ensure that the subject and verb agree. If the subject is plural, "are not" is generally the correct choice. If the subject is singular, use "is not".

Common error

A common error is using "is not" when the subject is plural. Remember that "is" is for singular subjects, while "are" is for plural subjects. For example, correct: "The books are not on the table." Incorrect: "The books is not on the table."

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "are not" is to negate a statement in the present tense when the subject is plural or uses the plural form of "to be". Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "are not" is a fundamental phrase used to negate statements with plural subjects in the present tense. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical correctness is confirmed, highlighting its widespread use across various contexts. The analysis reveals its frequent presence in news and media, science, and formal business communications, emphasizing its versatility. While alternatives like "aren't" exist for informal settings, "are not" remains a reliable choice for conveying negation with clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

aren't

Contraction of "are not". It's more informal and commonly used in spoken English or informal writing.

do not

Used for negating verbs that don't use "be" as an auxiliary. Changes the sentence structure slightly.

is not

Used when the subject is singular instead of plural. Changes subject-verb agreement.

not

A general negation marker. Requires restructuring of the sentence to be grammatically correct.

they're not

Specific to a "they" subject. Narrows the applicability.

we're not

Specific to a "we" subject. Narrows the applicability.

is never

Indicates something does not occur at any time. Introduces a temporal aspect.

does not

Singular form for negating verbs. Requires agreement with subject.

have not

Indicates the absence of possession or completion. Different verb tense.

will not

Expresses future negation. Shifts the time frame to the future.

FAQs

How do I properly use "are not" in a sentence?

Use "are not" when negating a statement about a plural subject or when using the plural form of "to be". For example, "They "are not" going to the party" or "We "are not" amused".

What is the difference between "aren't" and "are not"?

"Aren't" is a contraction of "are not". While both have the same meaning, "aren't" is more informal. Using ""are not"" can add emphasis or formality to your writing.

When should I use "is not" instead of "are not"?

Use "is not" when referring to a singular subject. For instance, "He is not available" uses "is not" because "he" is singular, while "They "are not" available" uses "are not" because "they" is plural.

What are some alternative ways to express the same idea as "are not"?

Depending on the context, you might use phrases such as "do not", "is not", or simply rephrase the sentence to avoid the negation altogether.