is not true

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is not true' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it to indicate that the information or statement that preceded it is untrue. For example, "The claim that running a marathon is easy is not true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is not true.

The New York Times

"It is not true".

The New York Times

Alas, it is not true.

The Economist

"But this is not true.

The New York Times - Magazine

But that is not true.

The New York Times

"It simply is not true".

The New York Times - Health

Well, it is not true.

The New Yorker

Clearly, that is not true.

The New York Times

This is not true either.

The Economist

This is not true Islam".

Independent

And it is not true".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "is not true", ensure you can provide evidence or reasoning to support your claim. Avoid making unsubstantiated denials.

Common error

Avoid simply stating something "is not true" without explaining why. Always provide context or evidence to support your claim. Simply negating a statement without further explanation can weaken your argument.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not true" functions as a declarative statement of negation. It asserts the falsity of a preceding claim or statement. As noted by Ludwig AI, the phrase is considered grammatically correct and commonly used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "is not true" is a common and grammatically sound way to negate a statement, as Ludwig AI confirms. Predominantly used in News & Media and Science, it serves to contradict or correct information. While it maintains a neutral register suitable for various contexts, more formal alternatives like "is incorrect" or "is false" may be preferred in certain situations. It's crucial to support claims made with "is not true" with evidence or reasoning to avoid unsubstantiated denials. Alternatives include phrases like "is a lie", emphasizing intentional deception, or "is inaccurate", pointing to factual errors. The frequency of "is not true" in authoritative sources highlights its reliability as a tool for expressing disagreement and correcting misinformation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is incorrect

Replaces "true" with its antonym "incorrect", maintaining a direct contradiction.

is false

Uses "false" as a direct synonym for "not true", offering a concise alternative.

is inaccurate

Indicates that the statement contains errors or does not align with the facts.

is simply wrong

Adds emphasis to the incorrectness of the statement, conveying a stronger disagreement.

is a lie

Emphasizes the deliberate nature of the untruth, suggesting intentional deception.

is far from the truth

Emphasizes the extent to which the statement deviates from reality, conveying a strong disagreement.

that's not the case

Shifts the phrasing to a more conversational tone, denying the validity of a previous statement.

is unfounded

Indicates a lack of evidence or basis for the claim, suggesting it's not supported by facts.

bears no resemblance to the truth

A stronger, more emphatic way of saying something is completely untrue.

that's a misconception

Highlights the widespread but incorrect belief, suggesting a common misunderstanding.

FAQs

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

You can use "is not true" to negate a statement or claim, indicating that it's incorrect. For example, "The rumor that the company is going bankrupt "is not true"."

What's a more formal way to say "is not true"?

In more formal contexts, you might use phrases like "is inaccurate", "is incorrect", or "is false" instead of "is not true".

When is it appropriate to use "is a lie" instead of "is not true"?

Use "is a lie" when you want to emphasize that the statement is not only untrue but also intentionally deceptive. "Is not true" is a more general negation.

What's the difference between "is not true" and "is unfounded"?

"Is not true" simply negates the truth of a statement. "Is unfounded" suggests that the statement lacks evidence or a factual basis.