is that not

USAGE SUMMARY

"is that not" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to suggest that something is likely true or when making a statement that implies agreement or acceptance. For example: "I like to listen to classical music, is that not the case for you too?".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"Is that not nuts?" Ms. Jaff asked.

The New York Times

You spoke Yiddish — IS THAT NOT CORRECT?

The New Yorker

"Is that not corruption?" Mr. McCaul said.

The New York Times

Is that not wonderful?

Huffington Post

How is that not funny?

The New York Times - Magazine

How is that not a sport?

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

The problem is, that's not true.

Forbes

My evaluation is that wasn't accurate.

The New York Times

Was that not true?

The New York Times

How was that not "real"?

The New Yorker

Was that not pressure?

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is that not" to invite agreement or confirm understanding with a gentle, questioning tone.

Common error

Avoid using "is that not" excessively in highly formal writing; opt for more direct statements or questions.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is that not" functions as a tag question, which is a short question added to a declarative sentence to engage the listener, verify information, or invite agreement. As Ludwig AI highlights, the phrase suggests something is likely true or makes a statement implying agreement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

20%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "is that not" functions as a tag question used to seek confirmation or agreement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a grammatically correct way to imply agreement or verify information. While not strictly formal, it holds a neutral tone and appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, with some presence in Academia and Encyclopedias. Consider alternatives such as "isn't that so" or "wouldn't you agree" for varied expression.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

isn't that so

Replaces "is that not" with a more informal tag question.

is that not right

Adds "right" for emphasis on correctness.

correct me if I'm wrong

Shifts the focus to the listener's potential correction.

am I wrong in thinking

Frames the question as a check on one's own understanding.

wouldn't you agree

Invites agreement in a more direct manner.

doesn't that seem

Focuses on the appearance or impression of something.

surely that's

Expresses confidence in the statement.

can we all agree that

Solicits unanimous agreement.

if I'm not mistaken

Introduces a statement with a degree of uncertainty.

does that not strike you as

More formal and emphasizes the surprising nature of something.

FAQs

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

Use "is that not" as a tag question at the end of a statement to invite agreement or seek confirmation, for example: "The weather is lovely, is that not so?".

What phrases are similar to "is that not"?

You can use alternatives like "isn't that so", "is that not right", or "wouldn't you agree" depending on the context.

Is "is that not" formal or informal?

"Is that not" is generally considered neutral to slightly formal, but it's more common in spoken language than in formal writing. Consider the context when choosing this phrase.

Which is correct: "is that not" or "isn't that"?

Both "is that not" and the contracted form "isn't that" are grammatically correct, but "isn't that" is generally more common in informal speech and writing.