Used and loved by millions

Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

has only not

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "has only not" is not correct and usable in written English.
It appears to be an incorrect construction and does not convey a clear meaning in standard English usage. Example: "She has only not completed her assignment."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In Europe, it has only not been translated into Finnish and Albanian".

Steve has only not been with the company for about four years now, otherwise, the rest of the history of the company we were working with Steve.

News & Media

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Omar always said, "If my father had only not met those Egyptians".

Yet it has only slowed, not dried up.

News & Media

Forbes

Greece has only had a reprieve, not a pardon.

News & Media

Forbes

But tensions have only eased, not disappeared.

News & Media

The New York Times

He has talked about having only one, not two, Air Force Ones.

News & Media

HuffPost

"Our business has not only not received payments, but money that was in the account has disappeared," he said.

News & Media

BBC

"I've only seen people, not things.

News & Media

The New York Times

Many hospitals have only private rooms, but not all.

But the reality is that Kyoto's targets have not only not been reached, practically the opposite has occurred.

News & Media

Huffington Post
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "has only not" in your writing. Rephrase the sentence using "has not only" or a similar, grammatically correct alternative to clearly convey your intended meaning.

Common error

Placing "only" between "has" and "not" often leads to confusion. Ensure "only" is correctly positioned to modify the intended word or phrase, or use alternative constructions to avoid ambiguity.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

Negation and qualification. The phrase "has only not" attempts to negate a statement while introducing a limiting factor. However, Ludwig AI shows it's grammatically awkward and not recommended. Its intended function is to convey that something hasn't merely failed to happen, but that something else has occurred instead.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Wiki

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "has only not" is generally considered grammatically incorrect and its usage is discouraged in formal writing. As Ludwig AI points out, it is better to use alternatives like "has not only" or rephrase the sentence for improved clarity. While examples exist, their scarcity suggests that the phrase is not widely accepted. To avoid ambiguity and ensure grammatical correctness, consider using the suggested alternatives. The few occurrences of "has only not" are spread across news media, wiki and scientific content.

FAQs

What does "has only not" mean?

The phrase "has only not" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's often intended to express that something hasn't just not happened, but rather something else has occurred. Better alternatives include /s/has+not+only or rewriting the sentence for clarity.

How can I rephrase a sentence using "has only not"?

Instead of "has only not", consider using phrases like "has not only" or restructuring the sentence to use a different verb. For example, instead of "He has only not finished the task", try "He hasn't even started the task".

Is "has only not" grammatically correct?

No, "has only not" is generally considered grammatically incorrect in standard English. It's better to use phrases like /s/has+not+only or other alternatives for clearer communication.

What are some alternatives to "has only not"?

Alternatives to "has only not" include "has not only", "has merely not", "has not even", or restructuring the sentence to use a more direct expression.

ChatGPT power + Grammarly precisionChatGPT power + Grammarly precision
ChatGPT + Grammarly

Editing plus AI, all in one place.

Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.

Source & Trust

85%

Authority and reliability

2.8/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: