isn't

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "isn't" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used as a contraction for "is not" in informal writing or dialogue. Example: "This movie isn't what I expected it to be."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

In practice there isn't.

Research Policy

It isn't.

University of California, Berkeley

isn't it?

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Rowan isn't".

The New York Times

isn't transparent.

The New Yorker

And isn't".

The New York Times

He isn't.

The New York Times

If it isn't, it isn't".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

Caesar was not and is not lovable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Damping is not identified.

Journal of Sound and Vibration

Populism is not new.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "isn't" in informal contexts to maintain a conversational tone. In formal writing, opt for "is not".

Common error

Avoid using "isn't" in academic papers or business reports; stick to "is not" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "isn't" is to negate a statement or to form a question tag. It serves as a contraction of "is not", effectively expressing denial or seeking confirmation. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across a multitude of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

44%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "isn't" is a prevalent contraction of "is not", employed for negation and question formation in diverse contexts. Ludwig AI validates its widespread use, although formal registers often favor the expanded "is not". As a versatile tool, "isn't" serves to express denial, disagreement, or seek affirmation, mirroring the conversational and engaging nature of informal communication. While its usage spans across News & Media, Science and Academia contexts, writers should exercise discretion in formal and academic papers, where a more conservative “is not” is typically advised.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is not

Expands the contraction to its full form, offering a more formal tone.

it simply isn't

Adds emphasis to the negation, highlighting the impossibility or unlikelihood of something.

is he not

Reverses the contraction into a question format, adding emphasis.

is that not

Similar to 'is he not' but used for different subjects, changing the focus.

that isn't so

An older, somewhat quaint way of disagreeing or denying something.

that's not the case

Explains an alternative situation, indicating a different reality.

does not seem

Expresses a lack of appearance or indication, offering a softer negation.

that is incorrect

Directly states the inaccuracy of something, providing a straightforward correction.

it does not hold true

Indicates something is not valid or accurate, presenting a more assertive negation.

it cannot be said that

Introduces a formal denial or rebuttal, significantly altering the sentence structure.

FAQs

How can I use "isn't" in a sentence?

"Isn't" is a contraction of "is not" and is typically used in questions or informal statements. For example, "The weather is lovely, isn't it?" or "That isn't right."

What's a more formal alternative to "isn't"?

In formal writing, use "is not" instead of "isn't". For example, instead of saying "That isn't correct", say "That "is not correct"".

Is "ain't" an acceptable substitute for "isn't"?

While "ain't" is sometimes used colloquially, it is generally considered nonstandard English and should be avoided in formal writing. Stick to "isn't" or "is not" for proper grammar.

When should I use "isn't it?" in a sentence?

"Isn't it?" is a tag question used to confirm something or seek agreement. For example, "It's a beautiful day, isn't it?" Tag questions are more common in spoken English.