in order not to be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in order not to be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when explaining the purpose of an action to avoid a specific outcome or situation. Example: "She studied hard in order not to be unprepared for the exam."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

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

The Guardian

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

The New York Times

She painted any flowers last, in order not to be hurried.

The New York Times

In order not to be confused with his father, he changed his name to Loseff.

Columbia University

He has also abstained from ordaining men in order not to be accused of discrimination.

The Guardian

But, in order not to be taken by surprise like the Albizzi, he perfected the system.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I offered my resignation in order not to be a distraction to the mayor," he said.

The New York Times

Take it from me; if you're writing for computer games, you're writing in order not to be read.

The Guardian

Upon which many great things occurred, which I say nothing about, in order not to be more prolix.

Cornell University

We watch these "trashy" shows at a distance, in order not to be contaminated by the appearance of bad taste.

The Washington Post

Many within the organisation felt it was self-censoring in order not to be forced from the country.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "in order not to be", ensure the sentence clearly states the intended action and the consequence being avoided. For example, "He studied diligently in order not to be unprepared for the exam."

Common error

Avoid using "in order not to be" in excessively long or convoluted sentences. Simpler alternatives like "to avoid being" can often improve clarity and readability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in order not to be" functions as an introductory phrase expressing purpose or intention. It connects a specific action with the desired avoidance of a particular state or condition. Ludwig AI examples show its versatility in academic, news, and general contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

55%

Science

25%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "in order not to be" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression to indicate the purpose of avoiding a particular situation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is versatile across various contexts, primarily in news, scientific, and academic writing. For more concise alternatives, consider "to avoid being" or "so as not to be". While generally neutral to formal, ensure clarity by avoiding overly complex sentence structures. By understanding its usage and purpose, you can effectively incorporate "in order not to be" into your writing to convey intention and prevent misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

so as not to be

Formal alternative that uses "so as" instead of "in order".

to avoid being

More concise, using "avoid" instead of "in order not to be".

to prevent being

Highlights the act of preventing something.

for fear of being

Emphasizes apprehension about the outcome.

lest one be

A more archaic and formal equivalent.

with the aim of not being

More verbose, stressing the intention.

in an effort not to be

Similar to 'with the aim', but uses 'effort'.

for the purpose of not being

Very formal and emphasizes the objective.

so that one does not get

Restructures the sentence to avoid "to be".

to ensure non-occurrence of

Highly formal and focused on ensuring something doesn't happen.

FAQs

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

Use "in order not to be" to express the purpose of an action aimed at preventing a specific outcome. For example, "She saved money "in order not to be" in debt later on."

What can I say instead of "in order not to be"?

You can use alternatives like "so as not to be", "to avoid being", or "for fear of being" depending on the context.

Which is correct: "in order to not be" or "in order not to be"?

"In order not to be" is generally considered the more grammatically correct and widely accepted form. While "in order to not be" isn't necessarily wrong, it can sound awkward to some readers.

What's the difference between "to avoid" and "in order not to be"?

"To avoid" is a more concise alternative to ""in order not to be"". While both express the intention to prevent something, "to avoid" is often preferred for its simplicity and directness.