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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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are often used not

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are often used not" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey a negative aspect of usage, but the structure is awkward and unclear. Example: "These methods are often used not for their effectiveness, but for their popularity."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The SSRS studies are often used not only for the initial diagnosis and localization of the disease, but also for the therapy follow-up or diagnosis of the disease recurrence.

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

In the eighteenth century, the terms 'cosmopolitanism' and 'world citizenship' were often used not as labels for determinate philosophical theories, but rather to indicate an attitude of open-mindedness and impartiality.

Science

SEP

Membrane probe filipin (FIL) specifically binds to PM sterols and is often used not only for their detection, but also in higher doses for the inhibition of PM internalization [ 23, 24].

But this is how they are often used - not infrequently, in doses that reduce people to drooling vacancy.

News & Media

The Guardian

These two indexes are often used interchangeably, not least because the SRH concept is often included in that of HRQoL.

Despite the fact that these terms are often used interchangeably, illness is not to be equated with disease.

Encyclopedias

Britannica

Nevertheless, incentives and opportunities are often used interchangeably and are not conceptualized as essentially different ideas.

Big data are often used secondarily for purposes not even known at the time of collection.

Although the terms "freedom" and "democracy" are often used interchangeably, the two are not synonymous.

News & Media

The Economist

Though the words are often used interchangeably, branding and advertising are not the same process.

But "nervous breakdown" seems to be one of those terms that is often used but not well understood.

News & Media

The Guardian
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Reframe the sentence to clearly state what is not being used and why. Consider alternatives like "are frequently not used" or "are commonly avoided" for better clarity.

Common error

Avoid placing "not" directly after "used" without proper phrasing. This can create confusion and ambiguity. Instead, restructure the sentence for clarity. For instance, prefer "are not often used" or "are rarely used".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase functions as a descriptive qualifier, attempting to express that certain entities or methods lack frequent implementation. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically questionable and not common in standard English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

8%

Reference

7%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are often used not" is grammatically awkward and uncommon in standard written English. According to Ludwig AI, it is better to use alternative phrasing for better clarity and flow. While it appears across various contexts, it's advisable to opt for more standard constructions like "are frequently not used" or "are commonly avoided" to ensure clear and effective communication. The authoritative sources rarely employ this phrase, further indicating its limited acceptance.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "are often used not" for clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "are frequently not used", "are commonly avoided", or "are typically not utilized" to improve the sentence's clarity and flow.

What is the difference between "are often used not" and "are not often used"?

"Are often used not" is grammatically awkward and less common. "Are not often used" is the standard and more easily understood construction.

In what contexts is "are often used not" considered acceptable?

Due to its awkwardness, "are often used not" is rarely considered acceptable in formal writing. It's better to use more conventional phrasing in most contexts.

What are some synonyms for "are often used not" that maintain a similar meaning?

Synonyms include "are rarely used", "are infrequently used", or "are seldom used", all of which provide clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives.

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Source & Trust

83%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: