it's not a given

USAGE SUMMARY

"it's not a given" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when something is not inevitable or guaranteed, or when there is a lack of certainty about something. For example, you might say, "Success isn't a given – you have to work hard to achieve it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

While we give the mothers in our lives their well-deserved thanks and recognition, this Mother's Day, let's remember something very important about motherhood: It's not a given.

Huffington Post

"It's not a given that on everybody's car it's bolt-on lap time".

Independent

That said, it's not a given that United will sign any of Van Gaal's preferred targets – of which he says there are "a lot" – due to the frustration that the club suffered in the summer transfer window.

Independent

It's not a given.

The New York Times - Sports

And it's not a given.

Independent

But it's not a given.

The Guardian

"It's not a given, but I'll give it my all".

The New Yorker

"Somebody has to be favorite, but it's not a given," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

She added, "It's not a given that these won't be censored," referring to the movies.

The New York Times

"It was nice to discover I could write novels because it's not a given.

The Guardian - Books

"It's not a given that Woodside exists forever and forever" as an Australian entity, he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "it's not a given", follow it with an explanation of what factors might influence the outcome or why the assumption might not hold true.

Common error

Avoid using "it's not a given" as a mere disclaimer without providing alternative possibilities or conditions. Explain what could happen, making the statement more informative.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it's not a given" functions as an idiomatic expression used to express uncertainty or a lack of guarantee. As Ludwig AI pointed out, the phrase indicates that something should not be assumed or taken for granted. Examples show it's a way of tempering expectations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "it's not a given" is a common and grammatically correct way to express that something is not certain or guaranteed. As Ludwig AI explains, the phrase serves to introduce uncertainty or qualify a statement, cautioning against assumptions. It's versatile, appearing frequently in news, formal business, and scientific contexts. While it's widely used, remember to provide context and explain the conditions that make an outcome uncertain, enriching the phrase's informative value. To convey a similar meaning, alternatives such as "it's not guaranteed" or "it's not certain" can be used.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

It's not guaranteed

Directly replaces "given" with "guaranteed", emphasizing the lack of certainty.

It's not certain

Replaces "given" with "certain", focusing on the absence of sureness.

It's not a sure thing

Uses a more informal expression, "sure thing", to convey the same uncertainty.

It's not inevitable

Highlights that the outcome is not unavoidable or predetermined.

It's not a certainty

Replaces "given" with "certainty", stressing the absence of guaranteed outcome.

It's not assured

Replaces "given" with "assured" highlighting that the outcome lacks guarantee.

It's not a foregone conclusion

Emphasizes that the result is not predetermined, using a more formal tone.

It's not necessarily the case

Indicates that something is not always or automatically true.

It's still up in the air

Uses an idiomatic expression to mean undecided or uncertain.

It remains to be seen

Expresses that the outcome is unknown and will only be revealed in the future.

FAQs

What does "it's not a given" mean?

The expression "it's not a given" means something is not guaranteed or certain. It implies there's no assurance about an outcome and several factors could influence the final result.

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

You can use "it's not a given" to express that something shouldn't be taken for granted. For example, "Just because you study hard "it's not a given" you'll pass the exam".

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

Alternatives include "it's not guaranteed", "it's not certain", or "it's not a sure thing". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "it isn't a given" or "it's not a given"?

Both "it isn't a given" and "it's not a given" are grammatically correct, but "it's not a given" is far more common in contemporary usage. The contracted form is generally preferred in most contexts.