is definitely not

USAGE SUMMARY

"is definitely not" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something is not true or certain. Example: "Going to that party tonight is definitely not a good idea."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is definitely not Ugandan.

Independent

It is definitely not propaganda.

The New York Times

Kay is definitely not OK.

Independent

This is definitely not playtime.

Independent

Racism is definitely not dead".

Independent

"It is definitely not Westernization".

The New York Times

This is definitely not me".

The New Yorker

It is definitely not easy.

The New York Times - Sports

Print is definitely not dead.

Princeton University

This is definitely not it.

The New York Times

That is definitely not outsourced.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is definitely not" to clearly and emphatically negate a statement or idea, leaving no room for ambiguity.

Common error

While effective for emphasis, overuse of "is definitely not" can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "is certainly not" or "is absolutely not" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is definitely not" functions as a strong negation or denial. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. It serves to emphasize that something is untrue or impossible.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

20%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Wiki

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is definitely not" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express strong negation. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread applicability across various contexts. It functions to emphatically contradict or refute statements, maintaining a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal communication. While versatile, it's crucial to avoid overuse and consider alternative phrasing to maintain writing quality. The phrase finds frequent usage in News & Media and Scientific domains, as indicated by the examples.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is undoubtedly not

Replaces "definitely" with "undoubtedly", emphasizing the certainty of the negation.

is certainly not

Substitutes "definitely" with "certainly", offering a slightly less forceful but similar denial.

is absolutely not

Replaces "definitely" with "absolutely", intensifying the negation.

is by no means

Uses a different structure to express a strong denial or impossibility.

is not at all

Emphasizes the absence of something to any degree.

is simply not

Offers a straightforward and direct denial.

is far from

Indicates that something is the opposite of what might be expected.

is nowhere near

Emphasizes a significant distance or difference from a particular state or condition.

is out of the question

Indicates that something is completely unacceptable or impossible.

is quite the opposite

Indicates a complete reversal of a presumed or stated condition.

FAQs

How can I use "is definitely not" in a sentence?

Use "is definitely not" to strongly negate a statement. For example, "That approach "is definitely not" the best way to solve the problem".

What are some alternatives to "is definitely not"?

Alternatives include "is certainly not", "is absolutely not", or "is by no means", depending on the desired level of emphasis.

Which is more emphatic, "is definitely not" or "is not"?

"Is definitely not" is more emphatic than a simple "is not". The addition of "definitely" strengthens the negation.

Is "is definitely not" appropriate for formal writing?

While generally acceptable, in highly formal contexts, consider alternatives like "is undoubtedly not" or restructuring the sentence to achieve a more sophisticated tone.