not free from

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'not free from' is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that contains a small amount of something undesirable or to imply that something is not completely free. For example, "The water in the lake is not free from pollutants."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's not free from corruption".

The New York Times - Tech

Unfortunately, the Supreme Court is not free from such influence".

The New York Times

First, it is still not free from Microsoft's monopoly.

The Economist

Like most things involving the DPRK they were certainly not free from controversy.

The Guardian

Traditional face-to-face education is certainly not free from cheating and plagiarism.

The New York Times

And even after we make a choice, we're still not free from its effects.

The New York Times

But, he said, the matter "is not free from all doubt".

The New York Times

His allusion suggests that the decision on a successor is not free from scuffles.

The New Yorker

"As long as I am holding on to that pain, I am not free from it".

The New York Times

These developments are not free from criticism, one of globalisation's discontents.

The Guardian

Not free from values, but free to apply them differently in different times.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not free from" to acknowledge the presence of imperfections, limitations, or risks while still emphasizing the overall value or functionality.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple negative constructions. Instead of saying "the project is not free from issues that are not insignificant", consider a more direct statement like "the project has significant issues".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not free from" functions as a prepositional phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is commonly used to express that something is not entirely without a particular quality, often an undesirable one. Examples show it used to acknowledge limitations or imperfections.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

32%

Formal & Business

18%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not free from" serves as a versatile tool in the English language to acknowledge imperfections, risks, or limitations while discussing a subject. Ludwig AI identifies it as grammatically correct and usable across a wide range of contexts. It is frequently used in Science and News & Media, indicating that while something may be generally positive or functional, it is not entirely without potential drawbacks or issues. As such, "not free from" balances the need for accuracy with nuanced language, making it a valuable addition to a writer's toolbox.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not exempt from

Directly replaces "not free" with "not exempt", indicating a lack of exception.

not immune to

Similar in meaning but emphasizes a lack of immunity.

subject to

Replaces the concept of not being free with direct subjection.

exposed to

Focuses on the lack of protection from something.

vulnerable to

Focuses on susceptibility, a consequence of not being free from something.

affected by

Highlights the impact or influence of something present.

compromised by

Indicates a weakening or impairment due to the presence of something.

tainted by

Suggests contamination or a negative alteration due to the presence of something.

burdened with

Implies a negative weight or responsibility resulting from something.

beset by

Highlights the troubles and difficulties caused by something.

FAQs

What does "not free from" mean?

The phrase "not free from" means that something is affected, influenced, or contains a degree of something, often something undesirable. It acknowledges the presence of limitations, imperfections, or risks.

How can I use "not free from" in a sentence?

You can use "not free from" to indicate that something is not entirely without a particular quality or issue. For example, "While effective, the solution is "not free from" potential side effects".

What are some alternatives to "not free from"?

Alternatives to "not free from" include "subject to", "vulnerable to", "affected by", or "not immune to", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "not free from" or "subject to"?

Both "not free from" and "subject to" are valid, but they have slightly different connotations. "Not free from" implies something undesirable might be present, while "subject to" simply indicates that something is conditional or influenced by something else.