not happening

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not happening" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not going to occur or is not feasible. Example: "I asked if we could reschedule the meeting, but the manager said that's just not happening."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

Not happening.

The New York Times

Yet that's not happening.

The New York Times

And it's not happening.

Independent

That's not happening either.

The New York Times

"It's not happening".

The New York Times

It is not happening.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

This usually does not happen.

Color Trends and Selection for Product Design Every Color Sells a Story

It has not happened.

Princeton University

That did not happen.

University of California, Berkeley

That may not happen.

The Economist

That must not happen".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not happening" to clearly and directly convey that something will not occur, especially in situations where you want to be firm or definitive.

Common error

While "not happening" is widely understood, it might be too informal for highly professional or academic writing. Opt for phrases like "will not occur" or "is not feasible" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not happening" functions as a negative present continuous statement, typically used to express that something will not occur or is impossible. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Academia

15%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not happening" is a common and generally acceptable way to express that something will not occur. While it's grammatically sound and widely used, as supported by Ludwig AI, it might be too informal for certain contexts. Consider using more formal alternatives like "will not occur" in professional or academic settings. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its versatility across various topics, from finance and politics to sports and personal matters.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not going to happen

This is a more common and slightly less formal way of saying something will not occur.

won't happen

A simple and direct contraction indicating that something will not occur.

will not occur

A more formal and direct way to state that something will not take place.

out of the question

This phrase indicates that something is completely impossible or unacceptable.

no chance

A more informal way to express that something is highly unlikely or impossible.

impossible

A strong assertion that something cannot happen.

not a possibility

This suggests that something is not within the realm of what is possible.

not in the cards

An idiomatic expression meaning that something is not destined or planned to happen.

unlikely to occur

Indicates a low probability of something taking place.

inconceivable

Suggests that something is so unlikely that it's difficult to imagine.

FAQs

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

You can use "not happening" to express that something will not occur or is impossible. For example: "A pay raise is "not happening" this year due to budget cuts."

What is a more formal alternative to "not happening"?

Alternatives such as "will not occur", "is not feasible", or "is out of the question" are more formal substitutes for "not happening".

Is it correct to say "that's not happening"?

Yes, "that's "not happening"" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression.

What does "it's not happening" mean?

"It's "not happening"" means that something is not going to occur or is impossible under the current circumstances.