not necessarily so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not necessarily so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is not always true or that there are exceptions to a statement. Example: "While many believe that success is solely based on hard work, that is not necessarily so; luck and timing also play significant roles."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not necessarily so.

Forbes

That is not necessarily so.

The Economist

"It's not necessarily so".

The New York Times - Science

Not necessarily so in winter.

University of California, Berkeley

But that's not necessarily so.

Cornell University

Not necessarily so, Mr McNeill believes.

The Economist

It is not necessarily so, he said.

The New York Times - Health

"Now, that's not necessarily so".

The New York Times - Arts

But that is not necessarily so.

Harvard University

That's not necessarily so at public colleges.

The New York Times

The answer is not necessarily so mysterious.

The New York Times - Style

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not necessarily so" to introduce a nuanced perspective or exception to a general statement, adding depth and critical thinking to your writing. For instance, instead of directly disagreeing, you can acknowledge a point but indicate it doesn't universally apply.

Common error

Avoid using "not necessarily so" in very informal conversations; simpler phrases like "not always" or "that's not true" might be more appropriate and natural.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not necessarily so" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a preceding clause or statement. It expresses qualified disagreement or introduces an exception, as shown by Ludwig. According to Ludwig, the expression is grammatically correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Academia

24%

Science

16%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

6%

Formal & Business

4%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverbial phrase "not necessarily so" serves to introduce exceptions or express qualified disagreement within a statement. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness and usability across diverse writing contexts. With a neutral register and frequent use in news, academic and science domains, it effectively adds nuance and critical perspective. Remember that while it's a versatile phrase, simpler alternatives might be preferable in very informal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not always the case

Replaces "necessarily" with "always", suggesting a less strong contradiction.

not invariably true

Uses "invariably" to emphasize the exception to the truth.

not automatically true

Indicates that something is not a given or a default assumption.

not certainly true

Emphasizes the lack of certainty regarding the statement.

that is questionable

Expresses doubt about the validity or accuracy of a statement.

it's debatable

Suggests that there are different perspectives or arguments on the matter.

it is not a given

Implies that something should not be taken for granted.

that remains to be seen

Indicates that the truth or outcome is yet to be determined.

it's open to question

Suggests that the matter is subject to scrutiny and debate.

that's not a sure thing

Emphasizes the uncertainty and risk associated with a statement.

FAQs

How can I use "not necessarily so" in a sentence?

The phrase "not necessarily so" is typically used to express disagreement or introduce an exception to a previous statement. For example, "Many people assume that more money leads to happiness, but that's "not necessarily so"."

What does "not necessarily so" mean?

It means that something is not always true or that there are exceptions to a rule or statement. It indicates a qualified disagreement.

What can I say instead of "not necessarily so"?

You can use alternatives like "not always the case", "not invariably true", or "it is not a given" depending on the context.

Is "not necessarily so" formal or informal?

The phrase "not necessarily so" is relatively neutral in tone and suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it might sound slightly more formal than simpler alternatives.