it's not

USAGE SUMMARY

'it's not' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express the idea that something is not true. For example: "I heard there was going to be a party tonight, but it's not true."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not.

Princeton University

It's not what it's not.

The New Yorker

It's not extraordinary".

The New York Times

It's not aggressive".

The New York Times

It's not business.

The New York Times

It's not wacky.

Independent

It's not entertainment.

Independent

It's not contrived.

The New York Times

"It's not conscious.

The New Yorker

It's not greedy.

The New Yorker

Exercise: It's not.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it's not" to clearly and directly negate a statement, ensuring the context is understood by your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "its" (possessive) when you mean "it's" (it is). "Its" shows ownership, while "it's" is a contraction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's not" primarily functions as a negation. It asserts that something is not the case. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase in English. It is used to contradict, deny, or express the absence of a particular quality or condition.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

30%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it's not" is a very common and grammatically correct phrase used to express negation or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in English. It appears frequently in news, scientific, and academic contexts, as shown by Ludwig examples. When using "it's not", be mindful of the difference between "it's" and "its" to avoid common errors. Alternatives include "that is not" or "that isn't", depending on the desired level of formality and context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is not

Replaces the contraction "it's" with the full form "that is".

that isn't

Similar to "that is not" but uses the contraction "isn't".

it does not

Emphasizes the negation with "does not", often used for actions.

it cannot

Indicates impossibility or lack of permission.

it will not

Expresses future negation or refusal.

that's incorrect

Provides a direct contradiction.

it's false

States that something is untrue.

that's wrong

A straightforward way to express disagreement.

it isn't the case

More formal way to say that something isn't true.

it fails to be

More formal and complex negation, implying a lack of expected quality.

FAQs

How can I use "it's not" in a sentence?

You can use "it's not" to negate a statement or express disagreement. For instance, "it's not that simple" or "it's not what it seems".

What are some alternatives to "it's not"?

Alternatives include "that is not", "that isn't", or "it does not", depending on the context. For example, instead of "it's not necessary", you could say "that is not necessary".

What's the difference between "it's not" and "it isn't"?

Both express negation, but "it's not" is a contraction of "it is not", while "it isn't" is a contraction of "it is not". The choice often depends on style and rhythm.

When should I use "it's not" versus "its not"?

"Its not" is almost always incorrect. Always use "it's not", which is the proper contraction of "it is not". "Its" is a possessive pronoun, not a contraction.