not any

USAGE SUMMARY

"not any" is a perfectly acceptable phrase in written English and can be used in situations in which one wishes to indicate a complete absence of something.
For example, "I do not have any friends in the city, not any at all."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Wiki

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

Not any more, though.

Independent

Not any longer.

The New York Times

Just not any scoring.

The New York Times - Sports

Not any more, however.

The Guardian - Opinion

But not any plastic.

Independent

UNDERWOOD: Not any more.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

There aren't any.

The New York Times

Or wasn't any longer.

The New York Times

Because there aren't any.

The New Yorker

There weren't any.

Forbes

It ain't any longer.

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not any" to clearly express the absence or negation of something, ensuring clarity and emphasis in your writing.

Common error

Be careful not to create double negatives when using "not any". For example, avoid phrases like "I don't have not any problems" as it can confuse the reader. Instead, say "I don't have any problems" or "I have no problems".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not any" functions primarily as a determiner to negate the existence or quantity of something. As supported by Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically acceptable and widely used. Examples include, "Not any more" and "Not any of these people".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

8%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Science

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not any" is a versatile and grammatically correct way to express negation. As highlighted by Ludwig, it enjoys frequent usage across varied contexts, notably in news media. While "not any" is generally neutral in tone, it is crucial to avoid double negatives and consider alternative wordings like "none" or "no" for conciseness. Ludwig AI confirms its acceptability, making it a reliable choice for clear communication. Consider context and desired emphasis to maximize its impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

none whatsoever

Emphasizes a complete lack of something, adding intensity to the negation.

absolutely none

Similar to 'none whatsoever', it reinforces the absence with an added layer of certainty.

not a single one

Focuses on the individual items within a group, highlighting that none are present or applicable.

no amount of

Emphasizes that even a certain quantity of something doesn't exist or isn't sufficient.

not at all

Conveys a complete absence or negation of a quality or action.

not even one

Similar to 'not a single one', but can imply surprise or disbelief at the complete absence.

no part of

Indicates that something is entirely excluded from a specific aspect or element.

without any

Highlights the lack of something as a condition or state.

devoid of any

More formal, emphasizing a complete absence or lack of something, often in an abstract sense.

lacking any

Highlights the absence of something as a deficiency or shortcoming.

FAQs

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

Use "not any" to negate the existence of something. For instance, "I do not have any money" or "There is not any milk left in the fridge".

What's the difference between "not any" and "no"?

Both negate existence, but "no" directly precedes a noun (e.g., "no money"), while "not any" often follows a verb (e.g., "do not have any money").

What can I say instead of "not any"?

Consider alternatives like "none", "no", or "absolutely none" depending on the context for clarity and emphasis.

Is it ever incorrect to use "not any"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of "not any" can sound awkward. In some cases, using "no" might be more concise and natural.