does not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "does not" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to indicate negation or the absence of something in a statement. Example: "She does not like to eat vegetables."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

does not apply.

Journal of Functional Analysis

But Abercrombie does not.

Independent

Groupthink does not intrude.

The New York Times

No, it does not.

The New York Times

Scolari does not dream.

The New York Times - Sports

The Senate's does not.

The New York Times

Food does not.

The New York Times

That does not fit.

The Economist

She does not.

The New York Times

It does not rumble.

The New York Times - Sports

"That does not work".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not" in formal writing to maintain a clear and professional tone. In informal contexts, consider using the contraction "doesn't" for brevity and conversational flow.

Common error

Avoid mixing tenses when using "does not". Ensure that the verb following "does not" aligns with the intended tense of the sentence.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "does not" is to negate a verb in the present tense. According to Ludwig, this phrase is commonly used to indicate the absence of an action or state. It's essential for forming negative statements across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "does not" is a grammatically correct and versatile phrase used to negate verbs in the present tense. As Ludwig confirms, it's commonly employed across various contexts, including news, science, and formal business settings. While the contraction "doesn't" exists for more informal use, "does not" maintains a neutral to formal register. Understanding its function and appropriate usage helps ensure clarity and precision in writing. Remember to maintain consistent verb tense and avoid mixing tenses when using "does not". It is often more appropriate to use the contracted form "doesn't" in less formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

doesn't

A contraction of "does not", used in informal contexts.

is not

Indicates negation of a state or condition, rather than an action.

does no

Emphasizes a complete absence of something.

fails to

Highlights a lack of success or ability to perform an action.

lacks

Indicates a deficiency or absence of something.

is without

Formal way to state the absence of something.

negates

A more formal or technical term for "does not".

contradicts

Indicates opposition or disagreement, implying negation.

refutes

Suggests actively disproving something.

disproves

Indicates that something has been proven false.

FAQs

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

"Does not" is used to negate a verb in the present tense. For example, "He "does not eat" meat" or "She "does not know" the answer".

What's the difference between "does not" and "doesn't"?

"Does not" is the full form, while "doesn't" is a contraction. "Doesn't" is more informal and commonly used in speech and casual writing, whereas "does not" is more formal.

Is it grammatically correct to use "does not"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. It's a standard way to form a negative statement in English.

When should I use "does not" instead of "is not"?

"Does not" is used to negate an action (verb), while "is not" negates a state of being (adjective or noun). For example, "He "does not run" fast" (action) versus "He "is not tall"" (state of being).