but certainly not

USAGE SUMMARY

"but certainly not" is a valid grammatical construction and can be used in written English.
Example: "I admire her courage, but certainly not her lack of empathy for others."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

But certainly not bored.

The New Yorker

But certainly not directly.

The New York Times

But certainly not that much.

The New York Times

(Unlikely, but certainly not impossible).

The New Yorker

It is possible, but certainly not easy.

The New York Times

Repulsive, perhaps, but certainly not unprecedented.

The New Yorker

Still big, but certainly not record breaking.

The Guardian - Business

Important perhaps, but certainly not pleasant.

Independent

But certainly not to him.

The New York Times - Sports

But certainly not quite this.

The New York Times

But certainly not the films.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To add emphasis and clarity to the phrase, consider pairing it with a strong adjective or adverb that highlights the degree to which something is not true or applicable.

Common error

While versatile, "but certainly not" can sound repetitive if overused in formal writing. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "however not" or "by no means" for a more sophisticated tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "but certainly not" is to introduce a contrasting element that strongly negates a previous statement or implication. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is a valid construction for expressing contrast.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Science

9%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "but certainly not" is a versatile phrase used to introduce a strong contrast or negation. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical validity and widespread usage. It is most frequently found in news and media contexts, serving to emphasize that something is definitively not the case. While generally neutral in register, careful consideration should be given to overuse in highly formal writing, where alternatives may provide a more nuanced tone. The phrase is well-supported by numerous examples from authoritative sources, making it a reliable and effective tool for expressing contrast.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but definitely not

Replaces "certainly" with "definitely" for a slightly less formal tone.

but absolutely not

Emphasizes negation more strongly using "absolutely".

but by no means

Offers a more formal and emphatic negation.

but not at all

Emphasizes a complete lack of something.

but of course not

Adds a tone of obviousness or agreement that something is not the case.

but assuredly not

Uses "assuredly" for a more formal and confident tone of negation.

but surely not

Implies a sense of disbelief or mild surprise that something is not the case.

however not

Simplifies the phrase to a basic contrasting statement.

but far from it

Indicates that the opposite is true.

but hardly

Shortens the phrase for a more concise negation.

FAQs

What does "but certainly not" mean?

The phrase "but certainly not" is used to express a strong contrast, indicating that something is definitely not the case, even if the preceding statement might suggest otherwise. It emphasizes negation.

How can I use "but certainly not" in a sentence?

You can use "but certainly not" to correct a potential misunderstanding or to emphasize a negative aspect. For example, "The task was challenging, but certainly not impossible."

What are some alternatives to "but certainly not"?

Alternatives include "but definitely not", "but absolutely not", or "by no means", depending on the desired level of emphasis and formality.

Is "but certainly not" formal or informal?

"But certainly not" is versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, in very formal writing, consider alternatives like "however not" or "by no means" for a more refined tone.