not absolutely as

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not absolutely as" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It could be used in contexts where you want to express a comparison or degree of similarity that is not complete or total. Example: "The results were not absolutely as expected, indicating some discrepancies in the data."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is possible that the tomcod and the killifish will then evolve again, just as the peppered moth did, if their PCB-resistant proteins are not absolutely as good as the original versions which they might not be, given that evolution did not find them before.

The Economist

Indeed,  the TripleTOF5600 and Qexactive data can only to be compared indirectly/correlative in this study, but not absolutely, as different chromatography, HPLC, and ionisation settings were used.

F1000Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

In molecular biology, experimenters work with a handful of proteins including polymerases, restriction enzymes, kinases, and phosphatases in processing nucleic acids, although the functions of these proteins are not fully understood, which is not absolutely necessary as long as they do function.

Molecular Biology and Genomics

These cases confirm that whilst B*2709 has a weaker association with disease in comparison with B*2705, it is not absolutely protective for AS The B*2706 subtype similarly has been shown to be less strongly associated with AS than B*2704 in South-East Asia [ 13].

Arthritis Research and Therapy

Although DCs appear to play a major role in antigen presentation to splenic T cells, they are not absolutely required as macrophages can act as substitutes in their absence (Neuenhahn et al, 2006).

EMBO Journal

(Q2) Kilwardby's theory is, however, not absolutely original, as scholars (in particular Weisheipl) have shown.

SEP

In the Overijssel case, this means that the private committee (bestowed with a public task and power) shall not discriminate between proposals or bids other than on the criteria, which are not absolutely prohibited (as discriminatory) and which are specifically relevant to enhancing sustainable community projects.

Energy, Sustainability and Society

That is, the progression was not absolutely unidirectional as flies returned to cleaning earlier body parts even though they had already started cleaning later body parts (referred to as return cleaning).

eLife

However the definition of 'unemployed' physician is not absolutely clear as many of these physicians may work in fields related to medicine (e.g. research or health services management), or may have changed careers.

BMC Medical Education

And he said he would balance the budget by cutting government programs that are not absolutely critical, such as subsidies for Amtrak and the Public Broadcasting Service.

The New York Times

Blanching is not absolutely necessary because as plants develop loose heads, their enfolding outer leaves naturally blanch the inner leaves to some degree, more so with close planting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not absolutely as" to express a qualified comparison, indicating that something is similar but not identical to a reference point. This phrase works best when nuance is needed, and a stronger assertion would be inaccurate.

Common error

Avoid using "not absolutely as" when a simpler, more direct comparison is sufficient. Overusing qualifiers can make your writing sound hesitant or unclear. Instead of saying 'the performance was not absolutely as good as expected', try 'the performance was good, but not as good as expected'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not absolutely as" functions as a qualifier in comparative statements. It modifies an adjective or adverb, indicating that a certain quality or characteristic is present, but not to the fullest extent. As seen in Ludwig, its usage suggests a nuanced comparison, acknowledging similarity while emphasizing a noticeable difference.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

38%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not absolutely as" serves as a qualifier in comparative statements, indicating a degree of similarity that isn't complete. While grammatically acceptable, Ludwig AI indicates it may sound awkward in some contexts. The phrase is relatively rare, appearing in a mix of science, news, and general contexts. When seeking alternatives, consider options like "not entirely as" or "not exactly as" for a more natural flow. As a writing tip, use this phrase when you want to acknowledge a likeness but also emphasize a notable difference. Remember to avoid using this phrase if a more direct comparison is sufficient.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not entirely as

Indicates a partial deviation, suggesting something is not completely in the described state.

not completely as

Emphasizes the lack of full completion or totality in the comparison.

not exactly as

Highlights a slight difference or imprecision compared to a specific standard.

not precisely as

Suggests a deviation in exactness, implying a need for greater accuracy.

not quite as

Implies a close but imperfect similarity, indicating a small degree of difference.

not fully as

Highlights that something does not reach the full extent or degree of the comparison.

not perfectly as

Indicates an absence of perfection or flawlessness in the comparison.

not uniformly as

Implies inconsistency or variability in the comparison across different instances.

not consistently as

Suggests that the comparison holds true sometimes, but not always.

not invariably as

Indicates that the comparison is not true in every instance or situation.

FAQs

How can I use "not absolutely as" in a sentence?

Use "not absolutely as" to indicate a degree of similarity that is less than complete. For example, "The movie was not absolutely as exciting as the book, but it was still enjoyable."

What's the difference between "not absolutely as" and "not quite as"?

"Not absolutely as" implies a more significant deviation from the expected or typical state than ""not quite as"". The former suggests a noticeable difference, while the latter suggests a minor one.

Are there alternatives to "not absolutely as" that sound more natural?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "not entirely as", "not completely as", or "not exactly as" to convey a similar meaning with potentially better flow.

When is it appropriate to use "not absolutely as"?

It is suitable when you need to acknowledge a similarity while also highlighting a significant difference or imperfection. It adds a layer of precision to your comparison.