clearly not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly not" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to emphasize that something is the opposite of what is expected. For example: The project seemed like it would be easy, but it was clearly not.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Clearly not.

Harvard University

But clearly not all.

The New Yorker

Clearly not linearly separable.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

I think clearly not.

Cornell University

Clearly not, in some eyes.

Independent

Clearly, not everyone was buying.

The New York Times

Syria is clearly not Iraq.

The New York Times

But it's clearly not.

The Washington Post

Clearly not acceptable.

The New York Times - Arts

Clearly not Theresa May.

The Guardian

It is clearly not.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clearly not" to succinctly express disagreement or negation when the contrary is implied or expected. This makes your writing more direct and impactful.

Common error

While "clearly not" is widely understood, avoid overusing it in extremely formal or academic writing. In such contexts, opt for more nuanced or sophisticated expressions of negation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly not" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb or clause to express negation or disagreement. It emphasizes that something is obviously untrue or contrary to what is expected, as confirmed by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Academia

22%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clearly not" is a common and grammatically sound way to express negation or disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it functions as an adverbial phrase, often used in news, media, and academic contexts to emphasize that something is untrue or contrary to expectations. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in overly formal settings. For stronger emphasis, alternatives like "definitely not" or "absolutely not" can be used. When used appropriately, "clearly not" adds clarity and impact to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely not

Emphasizes a stronger degree of negation or contradiction.

absolutely not

Conveys an even stronger sense of denial or impossibility.

certainly not

Indicates a firm and confident negation.

obviously not

Highlights that something is plainly and undeniably untrue.

far from it

Suggests that the reality is quite the opposite of what was implied.

not at all

Indicates a complete absence or negation of something.

by no means

Emphasizes that something is not possible or true in any way.

not in the slightest

Conveys that something is not true to even a small degree.

hardly

Implies that something is unlikely or barely true.

not really

Suggests a milder form of disagreement or negation.

FAQs

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

Use "clearly not" to express disagreement or negation when something is obviously untrue or contrary to expectations. For example, "The project seemed simple, but it was "clearly not"."

What's a stronger way to say "clearly not"?

Alternatives to "clearly not" include "definitely not", "absolutely not", or "certainly not" to emphasize the negation.

Is it okay to start a sentence with "clearly not"?

Starting a sentence with "clearly not" is grammatically correct but can sound informal. Use it sparingly, especially in formal writing. Restructuring the sentence might improve the flow.

What's the difference between "clearly not" and "not clear"?

"Clearly not" asserts a definite negation, indicating something is obviously untrue. "Not clear" suggests uncertainty or ambiguity, meaning something is not easily understood or defined.