mostly not

USAGE SUMMARY

'mostly not' is not a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use the phrase 'mostly no' or 'not mostly' instead. Example: He answered the question mostly no.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Academia

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Mostly not.

The Economist

But mostly not.

The Guardian

Bulbs mostly not deep-seated.

University of California, Berkeley

And brilliant in parts, but mostly not.

The New York Times - Books

Well, he's mostly not worried.

The New York Times

NANCY KANWISHER: Yeah, good question mostly not.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

The game is mostly not the game.

The New Yorker

Well, mostly not for the tan.

The New York Times

He was partly lucid, mostly not.

The New Yorker

The materials are highly viscous but mostly not rubbery.

Electrochimica Acta

After 1976, that's mostly not been the case.

The Washington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "mostly not", consider if a more grammatically standard alternative like "not usually" or "not typically" would provide greater clarity and precision.

Common error

While "mostly not" is frequently used, it can come across as informal or grammatically questionable in professional or academic contexts. Opt for alternatives such as "not primarily" or "not generally" to maintain a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "mostly not" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating negation or qualification. Despite its frequent appearance in various sources per Ludwig, Ludwig AI flags it as not grammatically sound, suggesting a need for caution in formal usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While the phrase "mostly not" appears frequently across diverse sources, from news outlets like The New York Times and The Guardian to academic publications, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically questionable. Therefore, although commonly used, especially in News & Media, Science and Academia, writers should exercise caution in formal contexts. It's advisable to opt for clearer and more grammatically sound alternatives such as "not usually", "not primarily", or "not generally" to maintain precision and professionalism. Despite its ubiquity, substituting "mostly not" with more precise language can enhance the overall clarity and impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not for the most part

Emphasizes that something is generally untrue, focusing on the majority.

not primarily

Indicates something isn't the main reason or factor.

not typically

Highlights that something is not the usual or expected situation.

not usually

Similar to 'not typically', but with a more common, everyday connotation.

not generally

Suggests that something does not apply in most cases.

largely untrue

States that something is mostly false or inaccurate.

more often false than true

Emphasizes the imbalance between falsehood and truth.

not to a great extent

Highlights a limited degree or impact.

scarcely

Indicates something happens rarely or to a minimal degree.

seldom

Similar to 'scarcely', suggesting infrequency.

FAQs

Is "mostly not" grammatically correct?

While frequently used, Ludwig AI identifies "mostly not" as grammatically questionable. Consider using alternatives like /s/not+usually or /s/not+primarily for clearer communication.

What are some alternatives to "mostly not"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like /s/not+typically, /s/not+generally, or /s/largely+untrue instead of "mostly not".

In what contexts is "mostly not" appropriate?

"Mostly not" might be acceptable in informal conversations or casual writing. However, it's advisable to use more formal alternatives in academic, professional, or news-related content.

How can I improve the clarity of sentences using "mostly not"?

Replace "mostly not" with a more specific phrase that accurately reflects the intended meaning, such as /s/not+for+the+most+part or /s/not+to+a+great+extent.