not definitely

USAGE SUMMARY

"not definitely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it whenever you want to express uncertainty. For example, "This answer is not definitely correct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not definitely," she said.

The New York Times

Probably, but not definitely.

Independent

"But not definitely.

The Guardian

Only likely, not definitely.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The composer is not definitely known.

Britannica

It may not definitely be a Portaloo.

The Guardian

959—but they do not definitely decide the point.

Cornell University

It is found that thinner reinforcing fibers do not definitely confer better fracture toughness on composites.

Composite Structures

"It's not definitely my last contract but more than likely.

The Guardian - Sport

The Circuit Court of Appeals did not definitely express opinion as to that matter.

Cornell University

This belief was weakened, however, when these glucoreceptors could not definitely be located in the brain.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not definitely" to express uncertainty or lack of confirmation while avoiding overly strong negative assertions. This can be particularly useful in professional or academic writing when you need to present information with appropriate caution.

Common error

Avoid using "not definitely" in conjunction with other negative words, as this can create confusion and weaken your message. For example, instead of saying "It's not definitely not happening", try a clearer alternative like "It might happen."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not definitely" functions as an adverbial modifier, specifically modifying a verb or a clause to express uncertainty or a lack of certainty. It indicates that something is not confirmed or guaranteed. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

32%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not definitely" is a correct and commonly used adverbial phrase to express uncertainty or a lack of confirmation. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically sound and usable in various writing contexts. It finds frequent application in news and media, scientific writing, and encyclopedic entries. When using "not definitely", avoid double negatives and consider alternative phrases like "possibly not" or "maybe not" to fine-tune your intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

possibly not

Reverses the order of emphasis, focusing on the possibility before negating it.

not necessarily

Indicates that something is not required or guaranteed, a slightly broader sense of uncertainty.

maybe not

Expresses uncertainty through a more casual and less formal tone.

probably not

Suggests a higher degree of likelihood against something happening than "not definitely."

not for certain

Emphasizes the lack of confirmed or guaranteed information.

it's uncertain

Shifts from an adverbial phrase to a statement about the uncertainty of a situation.

it's not clear

Highlights the lack of clarity or understanding about a situation.

not conclusively

Emphasizes the absence of a final or decisive conclusion.

it remains to be seen

Indicates that the outcome is still unknown and will become apparent in the future.

subject to change

Highlights the possibility of alterations or modifications in the future.

FAQs

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

Use "not definitely" to express uncertainty or a lack of firm confirmation about something. For instance, "The project will be completed on time, but it's "not definitely" guaranteed."

What are some alternatives to "not definitely"?

You can use alternatives like "possibly not", "maybe not", or "not necessarily" depending on the specific context and level of uncertainty you wish to convey.

Is it better to say "not definitely" or "definitely not"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but they carry slightly different nuances. "Not definitely" emphasizes the uncertainty, while "definitely not" emphasizes the negation. Choose the phrase that best aligns with the intended emphasis of your statement.

What's the difference between "not definitely" and "probably not"?

"Not definitely" indicates a general lack of certainty, while "probably not" suggests a higher degree of likelihood against something happening. "Probably not" implies that there's more evidence pointing towards something not occurring, though it's still possible.