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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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is really not

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'is really not' is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to express strong disagreement. For example: "This is really not the right way to do it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

It is really not so".

News & Media

Independent

That is really not Michelle Obama's problem.

News & Media

The New Yorker

What's happening is really not acceptable".

News & Media

The New York Times

"That is really not a difficult task".

News & Media

The New York Times

"That is really not on my radar".

News & Media

The New York Times

Someone who is really not very good".

This is really not new.

News & Media

The New York Times

This is really not surprising.

News & Media

The New Yorker

Washington is really not just one city.

News & Media

The New York Times

The department is really not so little.

News & Media

The New York Times

But all that is really not paramount.

News & Media

The New York Times
Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Vary your sentence structure and vocabulary by opting for related phrases like "is certainly not" or "is definitely not" to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

While "is really not" is grammatically correct, overuse can weaken its impact. Replace it with simpler negations like "is not" or use stronger alternatives like "is certainly not" for better clarity and emphasis.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is really not" functions as a negating expression, used to strongly deny or contradict a statement. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms its grammatical correctness and prevalent usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Reference

2%

Academia

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is really not" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to convey strong disagreement or negation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is widely accepted and versatile, appearing most often in news and media contexts. While effective, writers should use this phrase judiciously, considering the register and opting for related alternatives to maintain clarity and impact. Overuse can dilute the emphasis, so employing variations such as "is certainly not" or "is definitely not" can improve writing quality. Consider the context to achieve the desired tone and precision in your communication.

FAQs

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

Use "is really not" to express a firm disagreement or negation. For example, "This "is really not" the solution we were hoping for."

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

You can use alternatives like "is certainly not", "is definitely not", or "is absolutely not" depending on the context.

Is it better to use "is really not" or "is not"?

"Is really not" adds emphasis to the negation, whereas "is not" is a more neutral statement. Choose the phrase that best fits the tone and context of your writing.

When should I avoid using "is really not" in writing?

Avoid using ""is really not"" in formal or academic writing where a simpler negation might be more appropriate. Overuse of emphatic phrases can weaken your overall message.

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Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.6/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: