not every

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not every" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express something that isn't generally true or expected. For example: "Not every day will be filled with sunshine and sunshine alone."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Not every single week.

The New Yorker

But not every time.

The Economist

But not every C.E.O.

The New Yorker

Not every time.

The New York Times

Not every day.

The New York Times

Not every night.

The New York Times - Travel

Not every joke lands.

The New Yorker

Not every measure passed.

The New York Times

Not every man lives".

The New York Times - Sports

"Just not every Thursday.

The New Yorker

Not every customer gushed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not every" to introduce nuance and precision in your statements. It allows you to acknowledge exceptions to general trends or assumptions, making your writing more accurate and credible.

Common error

Avoid using absolute statements when "not every" would be more appropriate. Overgeneralizations can weaken your argument and make your writing seem less informed. For instance, instead of saying "All politicians are corrupt", consider saying "Not every politician is corrupt".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not every" functions as a quantifier phrase that modifies a noun, indicating that the statement following it is not universally true for all members of the group being referenced. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

87%

Wiki

2%

Science

2%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not every" serves as a valuable tool for precise communication by indicating that a statement doesn't apply universally. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and widely accepted. It's particularly prevalent in "News & Media", offering a nuanced perspective. When using "not every", consider alternatives like "not all" or "only some" for similar effect but be aware of slight differences in emphasis. Remember that avoiding overgeneralizations is key. Embrace "not every" to bring greater accuracy and credibility to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not all

Replaces "every" with "all", slightly altering the emphasis but maintaining the same meaning.

not each

Substitutes "every" with "each", providing a more individualized focus while conveying a similar concept.

not necessarily

Indicates that something is not a required or guaranteed outcome, akin to "not every" instance being the same.

not always

Specifies that something does not occur in all instances or situations, similar to "not every" having exceptions.

not uniformly

Implies that something is not consistent across all instances, akin to "not every" displaying the same characteristics.

not invariably

Suggests that something does not happen without fail, reflecting that "not every" case follows the same pattern.

not exclusively

Indicates that something is not limited to a particular group or situation, implying that "not every" is confined.

only some

Highlights that only a portion of a group or set possesses a certain attribute, contrasting with "not every" member having it.

few

Emphasizes the scarcity of something, similar to indicating that "not every" possesses a particular trait.

a minority

Stresses that only a small subset of a larger group is being referenced, similar to the implication that "not every" is included.

FAQs

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

Use "not every" to indicate that something isn't true for all members of a group. For example, "Not every student enjoys math class" or "Not every cloud has a silver lining".

What are some alternatives to "not every"?

Alternatives include "not all", "not each", "only some", or "few", depending on the specific meaning you want to convey.

Is it better to say "not every" or "no"?

Using "not every" is more nuanced than "no". "No" implies a complete absence, while "not every" acknowledges exceptions. For example, "Not every dog barks" is more accurate than "No dogs bark".

What's the difference between "not every" and "not everyone"?

"Not every" refers to all kinds of things, not just people, whereas "not everyone" refers specifically to people. For instance, you would say "Not every car is red", but "Not everyone likes pizza".