it is really not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it is really not" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is not true or not the case, often in response to a statement or assumption. Example: "I thought the project was too difficult, but it is really not as challenging as I expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Some flaps of loose skin, some hair, some blood, but, outside the daily fact of its total magnificence, it is really not queer at all.

The New Yorker

It is really not until Rob Marshall's "Chicago," with its jazzy, jagged mannerist montages that Mamoulian has been emulated.

The New York Times

It is really not so".

Independent

It is really not a personal thing," Mr. Icahn insisted.

The New York Times

It is really not about me and the Golden Boot.

The Guardian - Sport

"It is really not what most of us study".

The Guardian

And you recognize that it is really not your stuff.

The New York Times - Arts

But it is really not much of an art.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is really not an issue with me," he wrote.

The New York Times

"Teachers are so focused on students that it is really not brought up," she said.

The New York Times

It is really not surprising that students are attracted to the Palo Alto High journalism program.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it is really not" to politely but firmly contradict a statement or assumption. For example, when correcting a misunderstanding or clarifying a point.

Common error

Avoid using "it is really not" too frequently in a single piece of writing, as it can make your tone sound repetitive or overly negative. Vary your phrasing with alternatives like "it is certainly not" or "that is simply not the case" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it is really not" functions as a negation or disagreement. It's used to politely contradict or correct a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is usable and correct in written English, emphasizing that something is not true or the case.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

26%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Reference

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "it is really not" is a commonly used phrase for expressing polite disagreement or negation. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted. Its neutral register makes it suitable for various contexts, predominantly appearing in news and media, as well as scientific writing. While a versatile phrase, remember to vary your phrasing to avoid sounding repetitive. Alternatives like "it is certainly not" and "that is simply not the case" can enhance your writing's nuance and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it's just not

Emphasizes the lack of something.

it's not really

Changes the order of words slightly while keeping the core meaning.

it isn't truly

Replaces "really" with "truly" and uses a contraction.

it's genuinely not

Substitutes "really" with "genuinely", emphasizing authenticity.

it's actually not

Similar meaning with a more casual tone.

it's certainly not

Replaces "really" with "certainly", indicating assurance.

that is not actually

Replaces "really" with "actually" and offers slight change in structure.

that's simply not the case

Offers a more emphatic and formal negation.

it is far from

Indicates something is not close to being true.

it's by no means

Expresses a strong denial or impossibility.

FAQs

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

Use "it is really not" to politely disagree or correct a statement. For example: "I thought the task would be difficult, but it is really not that hard."

What are some alternatives to "it is really not"?

You can use alternatives such as "it is certainly not", "it is actually not", or "that is simply not the case" depending on the context.

Is "it is really not" formal or informal?

"It is really not" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's generally considered more neutral. For a more formal tone, consider "it is indeed not".

What's the difference between "it is really not" and "it is not really"?

While both phrases convey a similar meaning, "it is really not" emphasizes the negation more strongly than "it is not really". The placement of "really" affects the nuance.