not

USAGE SUMMARY

'not' is correct and usable in written English
You can use it to express the opposite of an expected action or outcome. For example: "I had expected to make a profit from the sale, but it turns out I did not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But perhaps not.

The New York Times

"It was not.

The New York Times

"Dress like you deserve respect, not a spot at a bar.

The Guardian

But not yet.

The New York Times

But it was not to be.

The New York Times

But we're not.

The New York Times

She is not alone.

The New York Times

Almost, but not quite.

The New York Times

Not a bit of it.

The New York Times - Sports

It is not hard to see why.

The New York Times

But not really.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not" to create a clear contrast or negation in your sentences. This helps to avoid ambiguity and ensures your intended meaning is accurately conveyed.

Common error

Avoid using double negatives (e.g., "I can't not go"), as they often confuse the meaning and can make your writing difficult to understand. Opt for a positive construction, like "I must go", to express the same idea more clearly.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "not" is to serve as an adverb of negation. It modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express the opposite of their meaning. Ludwig AI confirms its frequent use across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Formal & Business

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not" is a versatile adverb crucial for expressing negation in English. Ludwig AI affirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in journalistic and formal contexts. While maintaining a neutral register, it effectively conveys denial, contradiction, or absence, making it an indispensable tool for clear communication. Be mindful of avoiding double negatives to prevent confusion. Remember that "no" is a determiner that modifies a noun, while "not" modifies a verb, adjective, or adverb.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely not

Similar to "definitely not", conveys a firm and unequivocal refusal or denial.

definitely not

Adds emphasis to the negation, indicating a strong disagreement or denial.

not at all

Expresses a complete absence or negation of something.

by no means

Emphasizes that something is certainly untrue or impossible.

in no way

Highlights that something is completely impossible or untrue.

quite the opposite

Indicates that the actual situation or feeling is completely different.

on the contrary

Emphasizes a direct opposition to a previous statement, providing a stronger negation.

far from it

Indicates that the truth is the opposite of what has been suggested.

never

Indicates that something has not happened at any time and will not happen in the future.

hardly

Suggests that something is barely true or the case.

FAQs

How can I use "not" in a sentence to show negation?

You can use "not" to negate a verb or adjective. For example, instead of saying "The car is fast", you can say "The car is "not fast"" to indicate that the car is slow.

What are some alternatives to using "not" to express a negative?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "no", "never", or phrases like "in no way" or "by no means" to convey a negative meaning.

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "not"?

While it's grammatically permissible to start a sentence with "not" for emphasis or contrast, it is often considered less formal and can sound awkward. Rephrasing the sentence to place "not" within the clause is generally preferred for clarity and style.

What's the difference between using "not" and "no" in a sentence?

"Not" is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, while "no" is a determiner that modifies a noun. For example, "He is "not ready"" (modifying the adjective "ready"), versus "He has "no time"" (modifying the noun "time").