not of

USAGE SUMMARY

"not of" is correct and usable in written English.
It is often used to denote possession or to indicate a lack of something. For example, "He is not of this world" or "This is not of my doing."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Well, not of course.

The New Yorker

They're not, of course.

The New York Times - Arts

He's not, of course.

Forbes

But not of class.

The New York Times

Not of this season.

The New York Times - Sports

"Not of biology.

The New York Times - Books

Not of the police.

The New Yorker

Not of desire.

The New Yorker

It's not, of course.

The New York Times

It has not, of course.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I'm not of that school.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not of" to clearly indicate a lack of belonging, origin, or a specific attribute. Ensure the context makes the meaning unambiguous. For example, "This design is not of my creation" clearly states you didn't create the design.

Common error

Avoid using "not of" when a simpler construction like "isn't" or "doesn't" would be clearer and more direct. Overusing "not of" can make your writing sound unnecessarily formal or convoluted when simpler alternatives exist.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not of" primarily functions as a negative prepositional phrase, indicating a lack of belonging, origin, or possession. As Ludwig AI suggests, this is commonly used to denote that something doesn't originate from a specific source or doesn't possess a particular quality. This usage is evident in examples such as "He is not of this world."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not of" serves as a versatile tool for indicating a lack of belonging, origin, or characteristic. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and frequently used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, science, and formal business settings. While simpler alternatives may exist, "not of" offers a precise way to express non-association, as seen in numerous examples. Remember to consider the context to ensure clarity and appropriateness in your writing. The high frequency and authoritative sources underscore its reliability and widespread acceptance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

does not belong to

This alternative directly states that something is not a member or part of a particular group or category.

is not from

This indicates origin or source, similar to saying something didn't originate or come from a specific place or person.

lacks

This term succinctly conveys the absence of a particular quality or attribute.

is devoid of

This phrase emphasizes a complete absence of something, suggesting a more thorough lack.

does not possess

Focuses on the absence of ownership or inherent qualities.

is without

Similar to "lacks", but can also imply a condition or state of being without something.

is independent of

Suggests a lack of reliance or connection to something else.

is separate from

Highlights the distinction and non-association between two entities.

unrelated to

Indicates that there is no connection or link between the subjects being discussed.

bears no relation to

Emphasizes the absence of any kind of connection or similarity.

FAQs

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

Use "not of" to express that something does not belong to, originate from, or possess a certain quality. For instance, "The idea is "not of my own"" or "He is "not of this world"".

What are some alternatives to "not of"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "does not belong to", "is not from", "lacks", or "is devoid of" as alternatives to "not of". For example, instead of "This style is not of this era", you could say "This style "does not belong to this era"".

Is it correct to say "not of" instead of "isn't"?

While grammatically correct, using "not of" in place of "isn't" can sometimes sound overly formal or stilted. Consider the context and choose the option that provides the clearest and most natural flow. For example, instead of "He is not of legal age" you can say "He "isn't of legal age"".

What's the difference between "not of" and "without"?

"Not of" typically indicates origin, belonging, or inherent quality, whereas "without" usually indicates the absence of something. For instance, "He is not of this town" suggests he doesn't originate from here, while "He is without money" means he lacks money. Using "He is "not of money"" would be incorrect.