in order not to

USAGE SUMMARY

"in order not to" is a correct and useful phrase in written English.
You can use it to indicate that something is being done to avoid something else happening. For example: "He drove slowly in order not to get a speeding ticket".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Officials said that troops would be constantly rotated, in order not to violate the 1997 agreement.

The Guardian

Does German need this type of reminder of its past in order not to forget it?

The Guardian - Film

"However, women should avoid dressing like sluts in order not to be victimised".

The Guardian

Tackling bullying requires careful and sensitive handling in order not to aggravate the problem.

The Guardian

In order not to be beaten to death, they have to run".

The New York Times

"Sometimes we kill our heart in order not to feel," Tennessee Williams said.

The New Yorker

So He avoided looking at His landlord and landlady in order not to distress them.

The New Yorker

And he fell asleep in order not to know his death.

The New Yorker

You rejoice at his death in order not to have to smile at those who remain.

The Guardian - Books

And, in order not to add that colour, you get bleached of anything".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You think about him in order not to think about yourself.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in order not to", ensure the subsequent verb maintains a consistent tone with the initial phrase. For formal contexts, use formal vocabulary; for informal, use informal vocabulary.

Common error

Avoid using "in order not to" in overly casual or informal conversations. Simpler alternatives like "to avoid" or "so as not to" are generally more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The primary function of "in order not to" is to introduce an adverbial clause of purpose, indicating the reason for performing an action – specifically, to prevent a particular outcome. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "in order not to" is a grammatically sound and highly versatile phrase used to express the purpose of preventing a specific outcome. According to Ludwig AI, it is a correct and valuable phrase. While it is suitable for a range of contexts, it's most commonly found in neutral to formal writing, such as news articles, scientific papers, and business communications. To achieve clarity and precision, use "in order not to" when you need to emphasize the intention behind avoiding a potential consequence. Alternatives like "so as not to" and "to avoid" can be used in more casual settings. This phrase is a valuable tool for expressing intentionality and purpose in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

So as not to

More concise and slightly less formal.

In order to prevent

Directly states the intention of preventing something.

To avoid

A simpler, more direct way to express the same purpose.

For fear of

Highlights the potential negative consequence being avoided.

For the purpose of avoiding

Emphasizes the specific purpose behind the action taken.

Lest

More formal and literary term expressing the purpose of avoiding something.

In an effort to prevent

Emphasizes the proactive attempt to stop something from happening.

So that... wouldn't

Expresses the purpose of avoidance using a different grammatical structure, focusing on the result.

With the intention of avoiding

More verbose and emphasizes the intent behind the action.

To preclude

A more formal and somewhat legalistic way of saying 'to prevent'.

FAQs

How can I use "in order not to" in a sentence?

Use "in order not to" to express the purpose of avoiding a particular outcome. For example, "He studied diligently "in order not to fail" the exam".

What phrases can I use instead of "in order not to"?

Alternatives include "so as not to", "to avoid", or "for fear of", depending on the level of formality you want to convey.

Is "in order to not" grammatically incorrect?

While understandable, "in order to not" is generally considered less formal and less grammatically preferred than "in order not to". The latter is more concise and widely accepted in formal writing.

What's the difference between "in order not to" and "so that... wouldn't"?

"In order not to" directly expresses the purpose of avoiding something, whereas "so that... wouldn't" focuses on the resulting absence of an action. For instance, "She saved money "in order not to borrow"" versus "She saved money so that she wouldn't have to borrow".