not free yet

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not free yet" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that someone or something is not yet available or liberated from constraints. Example: "I would love to join you for dinner, but I'm not free yet; I have to finish my work first."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"We're not free yet," he said.

The New York Times

I was like, "Wait, wait, wait, no, it's not free yet!".

Wikipedia

Younous is not free yet, though, as he faces a series of baseless charges back in his home country, Morocco.

Vice

"I am not free yet.

The New York Times

She kicked out a panel on the door and wriggled through the narrow opening, but she was not free yet.

The New York Times

"Everyone who supported me and the rest of the group, keep fighting, we're not free yet.

Los Angeles Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

This service isn't free, yet the cost is pennies compared to using a professional decorator.

TechCrunch

While higher education isn't free yet - unless you work for Starbucks or another big corporation - it can be more affordable and accessible.

Huffington Post

But he isn't free yet.

Vice

You're not home free yet – they could still change their mind – but the next few months will be less agonising than for families whose offspring are still, understandably, dithering about choices that will affect the rest of their life.

The Guardian

In another reminder that Cuba is not really free yet, Cruz was unable to perform a concert there.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about political or social issues, "not free yet" can be used to acknowledge ongoing struggles for liberation or equality, reinforcing the need for continued effort.

Common error

Avoid using "not free yet" when the situation suggests that freedom or release is unlikely or impossible. This phrase implies a temporary state, and its misuse can create confusion or false hope.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not free yet" primarily functions as a qualifier or modifier, indicating a state of incompleteness regarding freedom. Ludwig confirms its usability in written English. Examples illustrate its use in contexts ranging from personal liberty to political freedom.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not free yet" is grammatically sound and used to denote a state where freedom is anticipated but not yet realized. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's usable in various contexts, particularly in news and media, to highlight ongoing struggles or incomplete liberation. The phrase is generally neutral in register and serves to communicate a sense of hope mingled with the reality of current limitations. When writing, avoid using it in contexts where freedom is unlikely or impossible, as it implies a temporary state. Related phrases include "still not liberated" and "not yet independent".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

still not liberated

Focuses on the lack of liberation, emphasizing the ongoing constraint.

not yet independent

Highlights the absence of independence, suggesting a dependency.

currently constrained

Emphasizes the current state of being limited or restricted.

not at liberty

Formal way to express a lack of freedom, often used in legal contexts.

still under restriction

Focuses on the fact that limitations are still in effect.

not out of the woods

Idiomatic expression meaning that a difficult situation is not completely over.

not there yet

Indicates progress towards a goal, but acknowledges that the goal has not been reached.

not fully realized

Suggests that the potential or the dream have not reached complete fruition.

work in progress

A project or state which is still ongoing and not complete.

still in development

Implies that something is still being created or refined.

FAQs

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

You can use "not free yet" to indicate that someone or something is expected to be free in the future, but is currently not. For example, "Although the hostages have been released, they are "not free yet" until they return to their home country".

What's a similar phrase to "not free yet"?

Alternatives to "not free yet" include "still constrained", "not yet independent", or "still under restriction", depending on the specific context.

When is it appropriate to use "not free yet"?

It's appropriate to use "not free yet" when discussing a situation where someone or something is expected to be liberated or achieve independence in the future, but hasn't reached that state at the time of speaking or writing.

Is "not free yet" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not free yet" is grammatically correct and commonly used in English. It follows standard sentence structure and is easily understood.