not and

USAGE SUMMARY

The term "not and" is not grammatically correct and should not be used in written English.
The correct conjunctive phrase to be used in this case is "neither nor". For example: She neither read the book nor watched the movie.

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Academia

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Why not "and"?

The Guardian - Books

Guess not, and yes.

The New Yorker

(They're not, and he can't).

The New Yorker

It's not, and they're not.

Independent

Probably not; and probably just as well.

The New York Times - Books

Caesar was not and is not lovable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

We must not and cannot keep quiet.

The New York Times

"Kushner said absolutely not, and saved it".

The New Yorker

We do not and never have.

The Economist

They were not and are not.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Railtrack has not and it shows.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for grammatical precision, replace "not and" with more accurate conjunctions like "neither nor" or restructure the sentence for clarity.

Common error

Avoid using "not and" as a direct conjunction; it often leads to grammatically incorrect sentences. Instead, use "neither nor" for dual negations, or restructure the sentence to use "but not" or "instead of".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not and" functions as a conjunction, attempting to connect two negative conditions or statements. However, Ludwig AI indicates it is not grammatically correct in standard English. Although present in various sources, this usage often leads to ungrammatical sentences.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Academia

20%

Wiki

9%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "not and" appears frequently across various sources, Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically incorrect in standard English. The primary intention behind its usage is to express a dual negation, though this is better achieved through more precise constructions like "neither nor" or rephrasing for clarity. Given its informal register and potential for misinterpretation, it's advisable to avoid "not and" in formal writing and opt for grammatically sound alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

neither nor

Emphasizes a dual negation, presenting two options that are both untrue or inapplicable.

but not

Highlights a contrast, indicating something is not one thing but could be another.

without

Indicates the absence of something, often implying a negative condition.

instead of

Suggests a replacement or substitution, showing what is not chosen.

rather than

Presents a preference, highlighting what is not the preferred choice.

not only... but also

Corrects by showing both aspects, presenting them as additional pieces of information.

excluding

Specifically omits something, clarifying what is not included.

aside from

Similar to excluding, but more of a general exception.

except for

Indicates an exception, pointing out what does not fit the general case.

but

Highlights a direct contrast or exception.

FAQs

What's a grammatically correct alternative to "not and"?

The grammatically correct alternative to "not and" is often "neither nor", used to negate two related options. You might also use "but not" to express contrast.

How can I use "neither nor" instead of "not and"?

Use "neither nor" to indicate that two options are untrue or not applicable. For example, instead of "He did not study and did not pass", use "He "neither studied nor" passed".

Is "not and" ever correct in English?

While "not and" appears in some contexts, it's generally considered grammatically incorrect. It's better to use more precise conjunctions or rephrase the sentence for clarity.

What's the difference between "not and" and "but not"?

"Not and" is generally ungrammatical. "But not" is used to express a contrast or exception. For example, "I wanted to go, "but not" alone" indicates a condition on your desire to go.