not even remotely

USAGE SUMMARY

"not even remotely" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something is not even close or hardly related to something else. Example: "Despite practicing every day, I am not even remotely close to being as good at tennis as my sister."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not even remotely.

The New York Times

"Not even remotely realistic".

The New York Times

He did not, even remotely, "sound black".

The New Yorker

The system was not even remotely democratic.

Encyclopedia Britannica

And you are not even remotely qualified.

The New Yorker

"It is not even remotely constitutionally adequate.

The New York Times

I am not even remotely bothered.

The Guardian - Sport

Though I am not even remotely qualified to answer it".

Independent

But not exactly, not even remotely, a live scientific hypothesis.

The New York Times - Books

He said he was not even remotely centrist.

The New York Times

Needless to say, it's not even remotely suitable for children.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not even remotely" to add emphasis when you want to express that something is far from being true, accurate, or likely. It's particularly effective when addressing a misconception or countering an assumption.

Common error

While "not even remotely" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in very formal or academic writing. Consider more sophisticated alternatives like "not in the slightest degree" or "not by any means" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not even remotely" functions as an adverbial modifier, intensifying the negation. It emphasizes that something is far from being true, possible, or accurate. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is correct and appropriate for use in written English, adding emphasis to the negation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

86%

Formal & Business

7%

Encyclopedias

2%

Less common in

Science

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not even remotely" serves as a powerful adverbial modifier to express strong negation. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and frequently used in written English. It is most commonly found in news and media contexts, conveying that something is far from being true or accurate. While versatile, avoid overuse in formal settings. Consider related phrases like "not in the slightest" or "nowhere near" for stylistic variation. As the analysis shows, understanding its nuances can enhance your writing by adding emphasis and clarity to your negations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not in the slightest

This alternative provides a slightly more informal and emphatic way of expressing that something is not true or possible.

not in the least

Similar to "not in the slightest", this option is a polite and clear way to express negation.

far from it

This phrase provides a concise and affirmative way of denying a previous statement or suggestion.

not even close

A more casual and straightforward way of indicating that something is far from being accurate or true.

nowhere near

This is a shorter and more direct way of saying something is far from a certain state or condition.

by no means

This phrase is a more formal way to express strong negation or denial.

nowhere close to being

Similar to "nowhere near", this option specifies that something has not reached a certain state.

not by any stretch of the imagination

This phrase is more emphatic and figurative, suggesting that even with a great deal of imagination, something is not possible or true.

not at all

A very common and simple way to express a complete negation.

not on any account

A more emphatic and formal way to express that something will never happen or be allowed.

FAQs

How can I use "not even remotely" in a sentence?

You can use "not even remotely" to emphasize that something is far from being the case. For example, "The possibility of rain today is "not even remotely" likely" indicates a very low chance of rain.

What's the difference between "not even remotely" and "not even close"?

While both phrases convey a strong negation, "not even remotely" often suggests a greater degree of difference or impossibility than "not even close". "Not even remotely" implies a lack of any connection, whereas "not even close" simply means "far from accurate".

What can I say instead of "not even remotely"?

You can use alternatives like "not in the slightest", "nowhere near", or "far from it" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to use "not even remotely"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct and commonly used in both spoken and written English. It functions as an adverbial phrase to modify verbs or adjectives, adding emphasis to the negation.