does not apply

USAGE SUMMARY

'does not apply' is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something does not apply to a certain situation. For example: "This policy does not apply to international students."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

does not apply.

Journal of Functional Analysis

Does not apply in April.

Independent

Rep. 1064, does not apply.

Cornell University

CSKA will hope that does not apply.

Independent

(This does not apply to alcoholic drinks).

Independent

"It clearly does not apply to Russia.

The Economist

Clearly this does not apply to homosexuality".

Independent

That does not apply in the morning.

The New York Times - Sports

It does not apply to land.

Encyclopedia Britannica

The law does not apply to hospitals.

The New York Times

I'm a Democrat"—does not apply.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "does not apply" to clearly and concisely indicate that a rule, regulation, or concept is not relevant in a specific context. For example, "This discount does not apply to sale items."

Common error

Avoid using "does not apply" when the context already implies inapplicability. For instance, instead of saying "This section does not apply because it is irrelevant", simply omit the section or state "This section is not relevant".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "does not apply" functions as a negated verb phrase indicating that a particular rule, condition, or statement is not relevant or valid in a given context. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

37%

Academia

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "does not apply" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression that serves to indicate the irrelevance or inapplicability of a rule, condition, or statement in a specific context. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and wide-ranging use. Found commonly across News & Media and Science sources, "does not apply" maintains a neutral register suitable for diverse audiences. Alternatives include "is not applicable" and "is not relevant", providing options for stylistic variation. When using this phrase, ensure the context clearly warrants its use to avoid redundancy, and always aim for precision in defining what exactly "does not apply" to.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not applicable

A direct synonym, using "applicable" instead of "apply".

is not relevant

This alternative focuses on the irrelevance of something rather than its inapplicability.

is not pertinent

Replaces "apply" with "pertinent", indicating a lack of relevance or direct connection.

is not germane

Similar to "pertinent", but slightly more formal.

is not appropriate

Shifts the focus to the appropriateness of something in a given situation.

is not suited

Indicates that something is not well-matched or suitable for a particular purpose or situation.

holds no bearing

Emphasizes that something has no influence or effect on the matter at hand.

is beside the point

Indicates that something is not relevant to the current discussion or issue.

is not connected

Highlights the lack of a direct relationship or link.

is out of the question

Expresses a stronger sense of impossibility or unsuitability.

FAQs

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

You can use "does not apply" to indicate that a rule, regulation, or concept is not relevant in a specific context. For example, "The warranty does not apply to damages caused by misuse."

What are some alternatives to "does not apply"?

You can use alternatives like "is not applicable", "is not relevant", or "is not pertinent" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to say "is not applicable" or "does not apply"?

Both "does not apply" and "is not applicable" are grammatically correct and have essentially the same meaning. The choice often comes down to stylistic preference or the overall tone of the writing. "Does not apply" is slightly more informal.

When should I use "does not apply" versus "is not the case"?

"Does not apply" is best used when referring to a rule, condition, or regulation. "Is not the case" is a more general phrase used when something is simply untrue or inaccurate. For example, "The rule does not apply to this situation" versus "It is not the case that the project is complete".