back by not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "back by not" is not a grammatically correct part of a sentence.
It does not make sense as it is missing a subject and verb. It is possible that it is meant to be part of a longer phrase, but without context it is difficult to determine its correct usage. One possible way to use "back by not" in a sentence is: "We will get our money back by not purchasing from that company again." This means that by choosing not to buy from the company again, the person will get their money back. However, it is more common and clear to say "We will get our money back by not buying from that company again."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

In yet more Cannes news, the BBC are cutting back by not having a Cannes party.

The Guardian - Film

Still, Villar got his own back – by not inviting Tebas to the Spanish Cup final.

The Guardian - Sport

No one should be held back by not being able to get the training, education and skills that they need".

Independent

Sometimes women hold themselves back by not playing the game, by not being aggressive enough, or not being brave enough, even if they haven't done it before.

The Guardian - Money

When she pushed back by not showing up for work, among other tactics, Zanuck vowed to ban her from movies and smeared her reputation in the studio-friendly press.

The New York Times

In the past he has criticised BBC executives for "leading from the back" by not moving their families to the corporation's new northern headquarters in Salford, and berated the corporation for cutting programme budgets.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

47 human-written examples

"I have the passing terror that it isn't so simple, that in these ultimate matters time is collapsed into a single moment in which you are forever in danger of having the knife tilt the other way, as though, if I am not careful between here and the parking lot, I might go astray and she will be canceled, stolen back by not-being, like a thief grabbing her through an open window.

Huffington Post

His two-year-old company, backed by not quite $200 million in venture capital from Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, Palo Alto Investors and the Qatar Investment Authority, begins production in November of the 100mpg Fisker Karma, an $88,000 plug-in hybrid sports sedan.

Forbes

"Alcock, we'd hoped would be back by now - he's not.

BBC

I felt that I was always held back by something: not being able to bring my whole self to work.

The Guardian

But the Republicans are being held back by ideas, not by Hillary.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure the sentence includes a clear subject and verb when using related phrases like "held back by not" to avoid grammatical errors.

Common error

Avoid using "back by not" in isolation, as it often results in grammatically incorrect sentences. Instead, use a complete phrase such as "held back by not having" or "not supported by".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "back by not" functions as part of a longer verb phrase, often indicating a deficiency or lack of support. Ludwig's analysis confirms that it typically requires additional context to form a grammatically correct sentence. Examples show its use in expressing hindrance or lack of endorsement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Wiki

30%

Science

30%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "back by not" is grammatically incorrect when used in isolation and requires additional context to form a complete and coherent thought. Ludwig AI confirms that while examples exist, the phrase is often part of longer verb phrases indicating a lack of support or hindrance. To ensure clarity and correctness, consider alternatives such as "not supported by" or restructuring the sentence to include a clear subject and verb. When aiming to express that something lacks support or validation, using complete and grammatically sound phrases ensures effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Held back by not

Specifies "held back", indicating a constraint due to a deficiency.

Not back by

Reverses the order of "back" and "not", slightly changing the emphasis.

Not supported by

Replaces "back" with "supported", indicating a lack of evidence or endorsement.

Not returned by

Substitutes "back" with "returned", focusing on the lack of return or response.

Not endorsed by

Uses "endorsed" instead of "backed", highlighting a lack of official approval.

Hindered by not

Replaces "back" with "hindered", suggesting being held back due to a lack of something.

Not sustained by

Replaces "backed" with "sustained", focusing on the absence of ongoing support.

Unsubstantiated by

Emphasizes the lack of evidence or proof with "unsubstantiated".

Not validated by

Highlights a lack of validation or verification with "validated".

Not justified by

Implies a lack of reasonable grounds or explanation with "justified".

FAQs

How can I properly use a phrase like "held back by not" in a sentence?

To correctly use "held back by not", ensure your sentence includes a subject and verb, clarifying who or what is being held back. For example: "The project was "held back by" not having enough resources."

What are some alternatives to saying something is "backed by not"?

Instead of "backed by not", you can use phrases like "not supported by", "not endorsed by", or "unsubstantiated by" to indicate a lack of evidence or approval.

Is it grammatically correct to use "back by not" on its own?

No, "back by not" is not grammatically correct on its own. It needs to be part of a larger, complete phrase to make sense. For example, "held "back by not" having enough experience" is grammatically sound.

What's the difference between "backed by" and "held back by"?

"Backed by" means supported or endorsed, while "held back by" means hindered or restrained. For instance, "The claim was "backed by" evidence" versus "The project was "held back by" a lack of funding."