certainly not

USAGE SUMMARY

"certainly not" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an emphatic way of saying "no" and expressing disbelief or disagreement. For example: Q: Do you think the city should build a new bridge? A: Certainly not! We need to invest in more important infrastructure projects first.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Certainly, not.

The New York Times

"I'm certainly not.

The New York Times - Arts

"He's certainly not French".

The New York Times

Certainly not Britain's landlords.

Independent

That's certainly not boring.

The New York Times

Certainly not to me.

The New Yorker

Certainly not an Italian.

The New York Times - Books

Certainly not everything.

The New Yorker

Certainly not his team.

The New York Times - Sports

Certainly not Pakistan.

The New York Times

He's certainly not irrational.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certainly not" to express a strong disagreement or denial, adding emphasis to your response. It is more forceful than a simple "no".

Common error

While effective for emphasis, avoid overusing "certainly not" in formal contexts. Vary your language with alternatives like "definitely not" or "by no means" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly not" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express strong negation or denial. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "certainly not" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverbial phrase that functions to express strong negation or disagreement. As confirmed by Ludwig, its neutral register allows for broad applicability across various contexts, though careful consideration of tone is advised for highly formal settings. Common usage appears in News & Media and Academia. Alternatives like "absolutely not" or "definitely not" can offer subtle variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely not

Emphasizes a firm and unequivocal refusal or disagreement.

definitely not

Indicates a clear and decisive negative response.

by no means

Expresses a strong denial or impossibility.

not at all

Conveys a polite but firm disagreement or denial.

of course not

Suggests that something is obviously untrue or impossible.

not in the slightest

Indicates that something is completely untrue or does not exist.

under no circumstances

Highlights that something will never happen or is not allowed.

no way

An informal way of expressing strong disagreement or refusal.

not on your life

Emphatic refusal, often used humorously or dramatically.

never

Simple yet strong expression of negation indicating something will not happen.

FAQs

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

You can use "certainly not" as an emphatic way to express disagreement or denial. For example, "Do you think we should increase taxes? Certainly not!"

What phrases are similar to "certainly not"?

Alternatives include "absolutely not", "definitely not", or "by no means", each carrying a similar sense of strong negation.

Is "certainly not" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "certainly not" can be used in formal writing but use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly assertive. Consider alternatives like "by no means" or a more detailed explanation of your disagreement.

What is the difference between "certainly not" and "not necessarily"?

"Certainly not" implies a firm and absolute negation, while "not necessarily" suggests something is possible but not guaranteed. They have almost opposite meanings.