is not legitimate

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "is not legitimate" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is not valid, acceptable, or recognized as genuine or lawful. Example: "The claim made by the organization is not legitimate and lacks sufficient evidence to support it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is not legitimate.

The New York Times

"The process is not legitimate.

The Guardian

A war to disarm Hussein alone is not legitimate.

Stanford University

"Electioneering and politicking is not legitimate library business".

The New York Times

He said: The interim president is not legitimate.

The Guardian - Business

The quiet implication is that Obama, himself, is not legitimate.

The New Yorker

The Court properly rejects the argument that this is not legitimate news.

Cornell University

"What is not legitimate is trading on leaks of nonpublic information".

The New York Times

Ukraine's new acting government is not legitimate, Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev has said.

The Guardian

It is not legitimate to act on that anger and hit another person.

The New York Times

We support legitimate protest but this is not legitimate, it is designed to stir up trouble.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When precision is key, follow "is not legitimate" with a specific reason or explanation to reinforce your point. For example, 'The election result is not legitimate due to widespread irregularities'.

Common error

Avoid using "is not legitimate" in very casual conversations. In informal settings, consider using more relaxed alternatives like "doesn't hold water" or "is bogus".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not legitimate" functions as a negative assertion, denying the validity or authorization of something. Ludwig examples show its use in diverse contexts, from political discourse to legal arguments, to indicate something lacks proper standing or justification. It often introduces a statement of disagreement or rejection.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is not legitimate" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression for conveying that something lacks validity, authorization, or legal standing. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage across varied contexts. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral to formal settings. Remember to avoid overuse in casual conversation and to provide context when precision is required. Alternatives such as "is invalid" or "is unacceptable" can be considered for nuanced expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is illegitimate

Uses the direct antonym of "legitimate", maintaining a formal tone.

is invalid

Replaces "legitimate" with "invalid", focusing on the lack of validity.

is not valid

Substitutes "legitimate" with "valid", highlighting the absence of legal or factual correctness.

lacks legitimacy

Shifts the structure to emphasize the absence of legitimacy.

is unacceptable

Replaces "legitimate" with "unacceptable", emphasizing that something is not allowable or satisfactory.

is unauthorized

Substitutes "legitimate" with "unauthorized", focusing on the lack of permission or approval.

is not permissible

Replaces "legitimate" with "permissible", highlighting the absence of allowance.

is unwarranted

Substitutes "legitimate" with "unwarranted", focusing on the lack of justification.

is without foundation

Emphasizes the lack of a solid base or justification.

is groundless

Replaces "is not legitimate" with a term that means having no basis or reason.

FAQs

What does "is not legitimate" mean?

The phrase "is not legitimate" means that something is not valid, acceptable, or recognized as genuine or lawful. It implies a lack of authorization or justification.

When is it appropriate to use "is not legitimate"?

It's appropriate to use "is not legitimate" in formal and neutral contexts when you need to express that something lacks validity, authorization, or legal standing. This can include discussions about politics, business, or legal matters.

What can I say instead of "is not legitimate"?

You can use alternatives like "is invalid", "is not valid", or "is unacceptable" depending on the context.

Is there a difference between "is not legitimate" and "is illegitimate"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "is not legitimate" can sometimes be seen as slightly less formal than "is illegitimate". However, they are largely interchangeable in most contexts.