not a statement

USAGE SUMMARY

"not a statement" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to clarify that something does not express a declarative idea or assertion. Example: "This is not a statement about the future." Alternative expressions include "not an assertion," "not a declaration," "not a claim."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

it's not a statement".

The New York Times

"It was not a statement of callousness.

The New Yorker

It's a question, not a statement.

The New Yorker

The outcome was not a statement performance.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not a statement of certainty.

The Guardian - Music

It was not a statement to be challenged and it was not a statement to be explained.

The New Yorker

It is not a statement about government regulation of speech.

The Washington Post

But it's not a statement about his heart.

The New York Times

"It is a marketing thing, not a statement," he said.

The New York Times

"It's not a statement of economic reality," he said.

The New York Times

It is not a statement of what will happen.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for precision, specify what the phrase is, not just what it is not - e.g., "It's not a statement, but a question."

Common error

Avoid using "not a statement" when the intent is clearly to express an opinion or belief, even if it's presented informally. It's more accurate to acknowledge the expression as an informal or qualified statement, rather than negate its existence entirely.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not a statement" functions primarily as a negation, explicitly denying that something constitutes a declaration, assertion, or affirmation. As evidenced by Ludwig, this phrase serves to clarify the nature of an expression, often contrasting it with alternative interpretations like questions or suggestions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Wiki

2%

Science

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not a statement" serves to explicitly negate the interpretation of something as a declaration or assertion. As indicated by Ludwig, it's commonly used in news and media, academia, and everyday conversations to clarify intentions and prevent misunderstandings. When using this phrase, be clear about what the subject is, not just what it is not, to provide clarity. This usage is considered grammatically correct and appears frequently in a variety of reliable sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not an assertion

Focuses specifically on negating the declarative nature of a claim.

not a declaration

Emphasizes the lack of a formal or explicit announcement.

not a claim

Highlights the absence of a presented proposition or demand.

it isn't an affirmation

Replaces "statement" with "affirmation", stressing the absence of confirmation.

it's not an expression

Shifts from 'statement' to a broader concept of 'expression', indicating something isn't meant to convey a specific idea or feeling.

it's not meant as a declaration

Specifies the intent behind something, clarifying it's not intended to be a declaration.

it's not intended as a claim

Focuses on the intention, specifying that something is not meant to assert a particular point.

it doesn't represent a position

Indicates that something does not reflect a particular viewpoint or stance.

it's not an official announcement

Specifies that something lacks formal or official status.

it's merely an observation

Contrasts a statement with a simple, non-committal observation.

FAQs

How can I use "not a statement" in a sentence?

You can use "not a statement" to clarify that something is not intended as an assertion or declaration. For example: "This is "not a statement" about the future, but a question about the present."

What can I say instead of "not a statement"?

You can use alternatives like "not an assertion", "not a declaration", or "not a claim" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "not a statement" or "not a declaration"?

Both "not a statement" and "not a declaration" are grammatically correct, but "not a declaration" implies a more formal or official context.

What's the difference between "not a statement" and "just an opinion"?

"Not a statement" negates any assertive quality, whereas "just an opinion" acknowledges an assertion but qualifies it as personal and subjective.