is not friendly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not friendly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that is unwelcoming or hostile in nature. Example: "The new policy is not friendly towards employees seeking flexible work hours."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Friendly" for one dog is not friendly for all dogs, and some dogs use excessive friendliness as a way to alleviate anxiety associated with meeting another dog or human.

Vice

Chess is not friendly to prose.

The New Yorker

The call is not friendly.

The New York Times - Books

Twitter is not friendly to newcomers.

The Washington Post

By Louis Menand Chess is not friendly to prose.

The New Yorker

"Kennedy had been a reporter, but Obama is not friendly with the press.

The New York Times

"Well, what seller, who wants to sell something, is not friendly," he replied.

The New York Times

The larger problem, of course, is not friendly Christian and Muslim clergymen talking about God.

The New Yorker

And one could make the case that the Islamic religion is not friendly to science.

The Guardian

Wildness is not friendly, but then, it turns out, neither is human life.

The New York Times - Books

Asking questions about what buyers intend to do with their pot is not friendly behavior, Blue explained with a smile.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing environments or systems, use "is not friendly" to highlight design flaws or exclusionary aspects. For example, "The user interface is not friendly to first-time users."

Common error

Avoid assuming that a neutral stance equates to a friendly one. Something can be unbiased yet still lack warmth or welcome. The phrase "is not friendly" should be reserved for instances where there's a distinct absence of positive engagement, not simply a lack of overt enthusiasm.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not friendly" functions as a predicative adjective phrase, modifying a subject to indicate a lack of warmth, welcome, or suitability. As Ludwig AI states, the phrase is correct and usable in written English. For example, 'The system is not friendly to anyone trying to find out'.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Academia

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not friendly" is a versatile expression used to denote a lack of warmth, welcome, or suitability. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently employed across diverse contexts. While often interchangeable with "is unfriendly", it can offer a slightly softer tone. Understanding the context is crucial: be it describing a hostile political climate or a user interface that's hard to navigate, the phrase effectively communicates a negative attribute. Keep in mind potential misinterpretations, such as confusing neutrality with friendliness, to ensure accurate and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is unwelcoming

Focuses on the lack of a positive reception or inviting atmosphere.

is hostile

Indicates an actively antagonistic or aggressive stance.

is not amicable

Emphasizes the absence of a peaceful or cooperative relationship.

is averse to

Highlights a feeling of dislike or opposition towards something.

is not receptive to

Implies a lack of willingness to accept or consider something.

is unfavorable to

Suggests a negative or disadvantageous position towards something.

is incompatible with

Highlights a lack of harmony or suitability between two things.

is not well-disposed towards

Indicates a lack of goodwill or positive feelings.

is antagonistic to

Implies active opposition or hostility.

is ill-suited for

Emphasizes the inappropriateness or unsuitability for a particular purpose or situation.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "is not friendly" to sound more formal?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives such as "is unfavorable to", "is not amenable to", or "is incompatible with" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "is not friendly" instead of "is unfriendly"?

"Is not friendly" and "is unfriendly" are often interchangeable, but "is not friendly" can sometimes soften the tone, making it suitable when you want to be less direct. However, "is unfriendly" is generally more concise.

What are some examples of situations where something "is not friendly"?

The phrase "is not friendly" can describe various scenarios, such as: a software interface that "is not intuitive", a political climate that "is hostile to" certain groups, or even food combinations where flavors "do not complement each other".

Is "is not friendly" grammatically correct?

Yes, "is not friendly" is grammatically correct and commonly used. Ludwig confirms its validity with numerous examples from reliable sources.