not indefinitely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not indefinitely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not meant to last forever or is subject to a time limit. Example: "The offer is valid, but not indefinitely; make sure to take advantage of it soon."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not indefinitely.

The Economist

Comedy can help us survive, but not indefinitely.

The Guardian

Not indefinitely, and bombing it might make it all the more desperate.

The Economist

Treatment with the drug ordinarily is expected to be continued for many years, if not indefinitely.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Jarrett acknowledged that he had agreed via radio to work with Martin, but not indefinitely.

The New York Times - Sports

I knew when I took the job that payment might be delayed, but not indefinitely.

The New York Times - Magazine

As a result, Mr Heathcote expects "modernist salvage" to be a growth industry in coming years.But not indefinitely.

The Economist

The specter of Al Qaeda may keep the I.R.A. at bay for a while -- but probably not indefinitely.

The New York Times

The statement added that Mr. Sharon repeated to Mr. Burns that "Israel could not indefinitely restrain itself".

The New York Times

"If we could replace our cells as rapidly as they deteriorate, we could probably live very long, if not indefinitely".

The New York Times

For many farmers, that explains why land leases last for 10 years with a chance to renew, not indefinitely or the 99 years offered to foreign developers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not indefinitely" to convey a sense of limited duration, especially when you want to avoid stronger terms like "temporary" or "transient" that may not fully capture the intended meaning.

Common error

While grammatically sound, "not indefinitely" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Opt for simpler alternatives like "not forever" or "not for long" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not indefinitely" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate a limitation in time or duration. According to Ludwig, its usage is considered correct.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

42%

Science

20%

Encyclopedias

7%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not indefinitely" is a grammatically sound and versatile phrase used to express the limited duration of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. Predominantly found in news, scientific, and encyclopedic contexts, it serves to set realistic expectations about the lifespan of an action or state. While interchangeable with simpler phrases like "not forever", "not indefinitely" carries a nuance of formality suitable for professional and academic discourse.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not permanently

Emphasizes the lack of lasting nature, focusing on the state of not being fixed or unchangeable.

not forever

A more direct and common way to express that something has an end.

not eternally

Similar to "not forever", but with a stronger emphasis on endlessness.

for a limited time

Explicitly states that the duration is restricted.

not perpetually

Emphasizes that something does not continue without interruption.

temporarily

Highlights the transient aspect of a situation or condition.

for a while

Indicates a limited but unspecified duration.

in the short term

Focuses on the immediate or near future, implying a change later.

not in the long run

Implies that while something may be true now, it won't hold true later.

subject to change

Highlights the possibility of future modifications or termination.

FAQs

What does "not indefinitely" mean?

The phrase "not indefinitely" means something will not last forever or continue without end. It indicates a limited duration or a condition that will eventually change.

What can I say instead of "not indefinitely"?

You can use alternatives like "not forever", "not permanently", or "temporarily" depending on the context.

How is "not indefinitely" different from "temporarily"?

"Temporarily" directly implies a short duration, while "not indefinitely" simply denies an unlimited duration, without specifying the length. Something can be "not indefinitely" and still last for a very long time. For example, you could say that support will be offered for several years, but "not indefinitely".

Is it correct to say "not indefinitely"?

Yes, "not indefinitely" is grammatically correct and commonly used in writing and speech to express that something is not meant to last forever.