it isn't

USAGE SUMMARY

"it isn't" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express disagreement or to answer a negative question. Example: Q: Is this the correct answer? A: No, it isn't.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

It isn't.

University of California, Berkeley

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

The New York Times

"Then it isn't".

The New Yorker

It isn't confining.

The New York Times

It isn't lying.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"It isn't relevant".

The New York Times - Magazine

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

38 human-written examples

It is not iterative.

Chemical Engineering Science

It is not love.

The New Yorker

It is not contracting".

The New York Times

It is not fashion.

The New York Times

It is not happening.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it isn't" to provide a concise and clear negative response, especially in informal or conversational contexts. Make sure the context is clear to what "it" refers.

Common error

Avoid confusing "it isn't" (a contraction of "it is not") with "it's" (a contraction of "it is" or "it has"). Using the wrong form can change the meaning of your sentence.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it isn't" functions primarily as a negative assertion or a denial. It's a concise way to contradict a statement or express that something is not the case. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a correct and usable expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Science

28%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Academia

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "it isn't" is a grammatically sound and commonly used contraction of "it is not". Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability in written English. It functions primarily as a negative assertion or denial, serving to disagree or correct misinformation across various contexts. While generally neutral in register, its frequency in News & Media, Science and Wiki contexts underscores its widespread acceptance. To avoid confusion, writers should be mindful not to confuse "it isn't" with "it's". Alternatives like "it is not", "that's not true", and "that is incorrect" can be used for emphasis or formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it is not

Formal alternative using the full form of "is not" instead of the contraction.

it does not

Replaces "isn't" with "does not", often used for emphasis or in formal contexts.

that's not the case

Expresses disagreement by stating that the preceding condition is not true.

that's not true

States directly that a previous statement is false.

that is incorrect

Formal alternative to indicate something is wrong or inaccurate.

that isn't right

Suggests something is not correct or appropriate in a specific context.

that's wrong

Informal way to express that something is not correct.

it is untrue

Formal expression indicating something is not factual.

it's not so

Emphasizes disagreement, suggesting the opposite is true.

not really

Informal way of expressing doubt or disagreement.

FAQs

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

Both "it isn't" and "it's not" mean the same thing. "It isn't" is simply a contraction of "it is not", while "it's not" uses the contraction "it's" (it is) followed by "not". The choice often comes down to stylistic preference.

When should I use "it isn't" versus "it is not"?

"It isn't" is more common in informal contexts, while "it is not" is generally used in more formal writing or when you want to emphasize the negation. For example, you might use "it is not" for clarity in legal or technical documents.

What can I say instead of "it isn't"?

You can use alternatives like "it is not", "that's not true", or "that is incorrect" depending on the context.

Is "it isn't" grammatically correct?

Yes, "it isn't" is grammatically correct. It is a contraction of "it is not" and is widely accepted in both spoken and written English.