not my instinct

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not my instinct" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing that something does not align with your natural feelings or intuition about a situation. Example: "When it comes to public speaking, standing in front of a crowd is just not my instinct."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

"That's not my instinct.

Independent

"Lobbying, campaigning is not my instinct but then that's probably a very British thing to say.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

It isn't my instinct but if I were them, that's what I would like to hear from my management".

Huffington Post

I could have stayed put to make it easier for them to find me, but that would have been the smart thing to do and doing the smart thing wasn't my instinct that day.

Vice

I'm trying to become better at assessing whether or not I'm needed in there, but it's taking some time because it's not my natural instinct to back off".

Independent

Vaizey accepted it might not be seen as radical: "There are lots of radical things you can do which might potentially frighten the horses … it is not my natural instinct to upend things".

The Guardian

When Will came out, comforting him was not my first instinct ― or even my third, if I'm being entirely honest.

Huffington Post

And, of course, they may not share my instinct that telling the truth can never be wrong.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But now, after a month with way too much free time and still no overdue paycheck in sight, I do not regret my time at the non-profit -- although I do regret not listening to my instinct earlier and researching the company further.

Huffington Post

It was not good for my instinct as an artist.' Does he honestly think he had the artistic instinct, as he calls it, at seven? 'In one way, yes.

The Guardian - Arts

8.51pm GMT 20 mins Second replay still wasn't great, but my instinct is that the ball did not cross.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not my instinct" when you want to express that a particular action, thought, or feeling does not align with your natural inclinations or intuitive understanding. It is most effective when contrasting it with a different course of action you are considering.

Common error

Avoid using "not my instinct" when you're making a purely rational decision. This phrase highlights intuitive feelings, not logical deductions. If your decision is based on data or analysis, a phrase like "not my initial conclusion" or "not my expected outcome" might be more fitting.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not my instinct" functions as a qualifier, typically used to express a personal preference or a deviation from what one would naturally do. As Ludwig AI explains, it indicates a lack of intuitive feeling towards something.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not my instinct" is a grammatically sound phrase used to indicate that something does not align with one's natural inclination or initial intuitive feeling. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English. Although the phrase is relatively rare, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. When writing, be mindful to use this phrase when describing a deviation from your natural preferences. Consider alternative phrases like ""not my first inclination"" or ""not my gut feeling"" for similar meanings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not my first inclination

This alternative specifies that it is not the first impulse or tendency.

not my gut feeling

This alternative emphasizes the intuitive, visceral nature of the feeling.

not my natural reaction

This alternative focuses on the automatic, spontaneous response to a situation.

not what I would naturally do

This alternative describes an action that deviates from one's typical behavior.

not my initial thought

This alternative highlights that it wasn't the primary idea that came to mind.

against my better judgment

This alternative suggests that it goes against what one knows is wise or sensible.

not my usual approach

This alternative indicates a departure from one's standard method or style.

contrary to my intuition

This alternative uses a more formal term for instinct, emphasizing the opposition to inner guidance.

not what comes naturally to me

This alternative underscores the lack of inherent ease or comfort with something.

not my inherent tendency

This alternative specifies the innate nature of the inclination being absent.

FAQs

How can I use "not my instinct" in a sentence?

You can use "not my instinct" to express that something doesn't feel natural or intuitive to you. For example, "Public speaking is just not my instinct, but I'm working on it." It is often used to explain a preference or a deviation from a typical response.

What does "not my instinct" mean?

"Not my instinct" means that something doesn't come naturally or intuitively to you; it's not your first or preferred reaction. It implies a conscious decision to act differently from what you'd normally do. You can replace it with alternatives like "not my first inclination", or "not my gut feeling".

Is it better to follow my instincts or go against them?

Whether to follow or go against your instincts depends on the situation. Sometimes, instincts can be valuable guides based on experience, but they can also be influenced by biases or emotions. Phrases like "against my better judgment" imply that it might be better not to follow your instincts.

What are some similar phrases to "not my instinct"?

Similar phrases include "not my natural reaction", "not what I would naturally do", and "contrary to my intuition". These alternatives highlight the lack of an innate inclination or preference for something.