is most certainly not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is most certainly not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a strong negation or disagreement with a statement or idea. Example: "The notion that hard work guarantees success is most certainly not true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Jeff is most certainly not a special case.

The Guardian - Money

This year, that is most certainly not the case.

The New York Times

A Korean philosopher thinks love is most certainly not the answer, at The Hankyoreh.

The New York Times

Trump is most certainly not the right man to fill this void.

The New Yorker

Though the law is new, the frustration is most certainly not.

The New York Times

But in any event it is most certainly not a subsidy.

The Economist

* - Name changed to protect the organizer, whose annual enterprise is most certainly not for entertainment purposes.

The Guardian - Sport

That is most certainly not a national crisis requiring action from the government.

The New York Times

As much to the point, it is most certainly not shared by many Tories.

The Guardian

The idea is most certainly not dead, Levi replies, because nothing ever dies.

The New Yorker

And it is most certainly not designed to build a civilian society.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When employing this phrase, consider the audience and context to ensure the level of emphasis is appropriate. Overuse can diminish its impact.

Common error

Avoid using "is most certainly not" when a simpler negation would suffice. Overusing emphatic phrases can make your writing sound unnatural or overly dramatic. Consider the impact on your writing. Using alternatives such as "is definitely not" or "is absolutely not" could improve the quality.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is most certainly not" functions as a strong negation or denial. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct. Examples demonstrate its use in emphatically contradicting statements or ideas across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

76%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

2%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is most certainly not" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to express strong negation or denial. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability. It appears most frequently in news and media contexts and serves to emphatically reject statements. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly dramatic. Consider alternatives like "is definitely not" or "is absolutely not" when a less emphatic tone is desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is definitely not

Replaces "most certainly" with "definitely", offering a slightly less formal tone.

is absolutely not

Substitutes "most certainly" with "absolutely", emphasizing the negation with a strong affirmative.

is certainly not

Removes "most", resulting in a direct and clear negation.

is by no means

Replaces the entire phrase with an idiom that indicates a strong denial or impossibility.

is far from

Indicates that something is not close to being the case, implying a significant difference.

is not at all

Emphasizes negation by adding "at all", suggesting a complete absence of something.

is out of the question

Expresses that something is not a possibility or an option, conveying a strong rejection.

is not under any circumstances

Specifies that something is not possible in any situation, highlighting the strength of the negation.

is simply not

Emphasizes the negation by adding "simply", suggesting that the idea is fundamentally incorrect.

cannot be

Uses a modal verb to express impossibility, offering a more direct and concise negation.

FAQs

How can I use "is most certainly not" in a sentence?

Use "is most certainly not" to strongly deny or contradict a statement. For example: "The rumor that I'm leaving the company "is most certainly not" true."

What are some alternatives to "is most certainly not"?

You can use alternatives like "is definitely not", "is absolutely not", or "is by no means" depending on the context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "is most certainly not"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of "is most certainly not" can make your writing sound unnatural. Reserve it for situations where you want to emphasize a strong negation.

What's the difference between "is certainly not" and "is most certainly not"?

Both phrases express negation, but "is most certainly not" adds extra emphasis. The inclusion of "most" amplifies the certainty and forcefulness of the denial compared to "is certainly not".