but not no

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but not no" is not correct in standard written English.
It is a double negative that can create confusion and is generally considered nonstandard. Example: "I want to go to the party, but not no one else is invited."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

I'm for limited government, but not no government".

The New York Times

They are low maintenance, but not no maintenance.

The Guardian - Opinion

It has been found that propene is chemisorbed, but not, NO, on gold species at room temperature.

Catalysis Today

"He had me messed up for a little bit but not no more," she announced.

The New York Times - Arts

"I believe in a lean bureaucracy," he said, "but not no bureaucracy".

The New York Times

And Elsa said yes, yes, she would sleep for a story, but not no scary story.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

AS-Atf3 (but not No-AS) inhibited expression of Atf3 for the 150 min period studied.

Biochemical Journal

Mucosal permeability also increased in the flurbiprofen but not NO-flurbiprofen treated animals.

Arthritis Research and Therapy

It has long been recognised that certain 'low-risk but not no-risk' symptoms are associated with cancer – particularly dyspepsia.

British Journal of Cancer

While GPs should be cautious not to dismiss potentially significant symptoms or signs among patients they know well, it may be prudent for doctors to personally follow-up patients with 'low-risk but not no-risk' symptoms.

British Journal of General Practice

The first part consisted of five clinical vignettes to capture the aspects of recognition of 'low-risk but not no-risk' symptoms, delay in instigating investigations and reluctance to consider an alternative diagnosis.

BMC Family Practice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using double negatives like "but not no" in formal writing. Instead, opt for clearer alternatives like "but certainly" or rephrase the sentence to eliminate the negation.

Common error

Don't create confusion by stacking negatives. While double negatives may be acceptable in some dialects or informal speech, they are generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English and can obscure your meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but not no" functions as a conjunction phrase, attempting to introduce a contrast or exception. However, due to the double negative construction, it is grammatically incorrect in standard English. Ludwig AI highlights that the phrase is not correct in standard written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

42%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but not no" is grammatically incorrect as a double negative in standard English, despite its occasional appearance in informal speech and various media. Ludwig AI advises against its use in formal writing. While its intended purpose is to express a limited exception or partial allowance, it leads to confusion and should be replaced with clearer alternatives such as "but certainly" or a rephrased sentence. Its register is informal, and it appears most frequently in news media and scientific contexts, according to Ludwig's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but certainly

Replaces the double negative with a positive affirmation, emphasizing agreement or certainty.

but indeed

Emphasizes the truth or confirmation of a statement, correcting the double negative.

but actually

Highlights the reality of a situation, providing a contrasting perspective.

however

Introduces a contrasting statement, similar to "but", while avoiding the double negative.

nevertheless

Indicates a contrast or concession, similar to "but", without using the double negative.

yet

Offers a simple contrasting conjunction, sidestepping the double negative.

although

Introduces a subordinate clause that contrasts with the main clause, avoiding the double negative.

though

Similar to 'although', but more informal, providing a contrasting element.

except

Indicates an exclusion or exception, replacing the double negative with a more precise term.

aside from

Similar to 'except', but slightly more formal, indicating an element that is not included.

FAQs

Is "but not no" grammatically correct?

No, "but not no" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's a double negative that can be confusing. It's best to use clearer alternatives.

What can I say instead of "but not no"?

You can use alternatives like "but certainly", "but indeed", or rephrase the sentence to avoid the double negative.

Why is "but not no" considered incorrect?

Because it's a double negative. In standard English, two negatives typically cancel each other out, implying a positive. Using a double negative often leads to unclear or contradictory statements.

In what contexts might I encounter "but not no"?

You might encounter it in informal speech, certain dialects, or when someone is using a double negative for emphasis, though it's still not considered standard English. Be wary about using in formal communication.