as to not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as to not" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate a purpose or intention to avoid something. Example: "She adjusted her schedule as to not miss the important meeting."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was so ordinary as to not require comment.

The New Yorker

The Visby's 57mm cannon also retracts so as to not to spoil the ship's radar signature.

The Guardian

Thus, every effort should be undertaken so as to not miss a single lesion.

Insights into Imaging

They learn from their mistakes so as to not repeat them and they remain persistent.

Huffington Post

So as to not exclude the 2007 data, soap was not included in the adjusted model.

Conflict and Health

Handle CD's with care so as to not scratch them.

WikiHow

Use sticky magnetic so as to not damage your walls.

WikiHow

"Many were so poor as to not have proper shoes.

The Guardian

Serial is implemented using interrupts so as to not block the program.

Cornell University

Waiting for kickoff is one thing, but it's so secondary as to not matter.

The Washington Post

Mercifully, the pirate ship is passing by far enough away as to not be heard.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the clause following "as to not" clearly states what is being avoided to prevent ambiguity.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "as to not" can sound slightly stilted in modern English. Overusing it may make your writing seem unnatural. Opt for simpler alternatives like "so as not to" or "in order to avoid" in most contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as to not" functions as an infinitive of purpose, indicating the reason or intention behind an action. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability. It introduces a clause explaining what outcome is being avoided.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

43%

Science

28%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

2%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "as to not" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express purpose with an emphasis on avoidance. While confirmed as correct by Ludwig AI, it is valuable to know that its slightly formal tone might be better replaced with phrases like "so as not to" or "in order to avoid" for enhanced readability. Its frequency is very common, appearing most often in news media and scientific contexts. Understanding these nuances helps writers effectively convey their intended meaning while maintaining appropriate style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so as not to

Inverts the phrase for a slightly more common structure.

in order to not

Swaps the position of the words "to" and "not".

so that one does not

Replaces "as to" with "so that" and uses a more formal structure.

to avoid

A more concise way of expressing the intention to prevent something.

in order to prevent

Focuses on prevention, replacing the purpose-driven "as to not".

with the aim of avoiding

Highlights the intention to avoid something.

for the purpose of not

More verbose, emphasizing the intent.

with the intention of not

A more elaborate and formal way to indicate purpose.

lest

A more archaic and formal substitute.

such that it does not

Emphasizes the resulting state of avoiding something.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "as to not" for better clarity?

Consider using alternatives like "so as not to", "in order to avoid", or "to prevent" for increased clarity and flow.

Is "as to not" considered formal or informal?

While grammatically correct, "as to not" leans towards a slightly more formal tone. In many everyday contexts, simpler alternatives such as "so as not to" or "in order to avoid" may sound more natural.

When is it appropriate to use "as to not"?

"As to not" is appropriate when you want to express a purpose or intention to avoid a particular outcome, often in situations where a slightly more formal tone is acceptable. However, ensure it doesn't sound overly stilted in the context.

What is the difference between "as to not" and "so as not to"?

The difference is subtle; "so as not to" is generally considered more common and natural-sounding in contemporary English. Both phrases express the same purpose, but "so as not to" might be preferred for better flow and readability.