decidedly not

USAGE SUMMARY

"decidedly not" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is typically used to show emphasis and strong disagreement with a statement or idea. It is often used to express a negative sentiment or feeling. Example: "I was excited to try the new restaurant, but the food was decidedly not up to par. I won't be going back."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The result is decidedly not floral.

The New York Times

But it's decidedly not a compliment.

The New York Times - Arts

It is decidedly not of ugly things.

The New York Times

Ms. Goldman is decidedly not Yente.

The New York Times

This is decidedly not Lincoln's party anymore.

University of California, Berkeley

It's a reality that's decidedly not ideal.

Columbia University

Tillman's is decidedly not a sneaker joint.

The New York Times

Dearborn was decidedly not under Sharia law.

The Guardian

Decidedly not dead, meanwhile, is Mme Costa.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Iowa is decidedly not a primary state.

The New York Times

And its rules are decidedly not intimidating.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decidedly not" to add emphasis when you want to express a strong disagreement or negation. It's more formal and emphatic than a simple "no".

Common error

Avoid using "decidedly not" in very informal or casual conversations. It can sound overly stiff or pretentious in contexts where a simpler negation would be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decidedly not" functions as an emphatic negation. It modifies a verb or adjective, indicating a strong disagreement or denial. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adds emphasis to the negation, signifying a firm stance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Reference

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "decidedly not" is a versatile phrase used to express strong negation and emphasis. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is grammatically sound and often employed to convey a firm stance. Its usage spans across various contexts, including news, academic writing, and formal communication, as indicated by the examples from Ludwig. While it is most prevalent in news and media, it is less common in scientific or informal settings. When writing, it is important to consider the degree of emphasis needed and the formality of the context to determine if "decidedly not" is the most appropriate choice.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

distinctly not

Emphasizes a clear and noticeable difference or negation.

definitely not

Indicates a firm and unequivocal negation.

emphatically not

Stresses a strong and forceful negation.

absolutely not

Conveys a complete and unconditional negation.

certainly not

Highlights the certainty of the negation.

assuredly not

Similar to "certainly not" but conveys a sense of confidence.

positively not

Expresses a strong affirmative negation.

surely not

Suggests a confident disbelief or negation.

far from it

Indicates the opposite is true, offering a more indirect negation.

by no means

Emphasizes that something is impossible or untrue.

FAQs

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

You can use "decidedly not" to strongly negate a previous statement or expectation, for example: "The outcome was decidedly not what we had hoped for."

What phrases are similar to "decidedly not"?

Alternatives include "definitely not", "absolutely not", or "distinctly not". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "decidedly not" or "not decidedly"?

"Decidedly not" is the standard and more natural phrasing. "Not decidedly" is grammatically awkward and rarely used.

When should I use "decidedly not" instead of just "no"?

Use "decidedly not" when you want to add emphasis or formality to your negation. It's stronger and more emphatic than a simple "no".