not promising

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not promising" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written English.
It can be used to describe something that does not seem hopeful or likely to lead to success. This phrase is often used to express disappointment or a lack of confidence in a situation. Example: The job market for recent graduates is not very promising at the moment, with fewer job openings and increased competition.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

Signs are not promising.

The New York Times

The scene is not promising.

The New York Times - Food

First attempts were not promising.

The New York Times

His record is not promising.

The Economist

Historical precedent is not promising.

The New York Times

The outlook is not promising.

The New York Times

Early indications were not promising.

The New York Times

Recent history is not promising.

The New York Times

The future is not promising.

Forbes

This is not promising.

The Guardian

The approach is not promising.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "not promising", ensure the context clearly indicates what specifically is lacking potential. Provide specifics to enhance clarity.

Common error

Avoid stacking negative phrases with "not promising". Instead of saying 'the situation is not not promising', opt for a more direct positive statement if applicable. For example, 'the situation is improving slightly'.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not promising" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or situation to indicate a lack of potential or a negative outlook. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage, showing numerous examples from diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not promising" is a common and grammatically correct adjective phrase used to express a negative outlook or lack of potential. As validated by Ludwig AI, it is frequently found in news and media sources. Alternatives include "not encouraging" and "bleak outlook". When using the phrase, clarity is key: specify what exactly lacks promise to avoid ambiguity. Avoid overuse of negatives for clearer communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not encouraging

This phrase focuses on the lack of positive signs or indicators.

unlikely to succeed

This alternative emphasizes the low probability of achieving a positive outcome.

does not bode well

This idiom suggests that current signs point to a negative future outcome.

bleak outlook

This alternative suggests a pessimistic view of the future.

poor prospects

A shorter, more direct way to express a negative outlook.

dim prospects

Similar to 'poor prospects', but perhaps implying a slight chance of improvement that may not be realistic.

unfavorable prospects

This phrase highlights the negative aspects of the potential future.

not auspicious

This alternative implies that the current situation is unfavorable for future success, often used in more formal contexts.

things look grim

This colloquial phrase conveys a sense of despair and a highly negative outlook.

raising concerns

This alternative indicates that the situation is causing worry about potential future outcomes.

FAQs

What does "not promising" mean?

The phrase "not promising" indicates that a situation or outlook is unlikely to be successful or favorable. It suggests a lack of potential or positive signs.

What are some alternatives to "not promising"?

You can use alternatives like "not encouraging", "bleak outlook", or "unfavorable prospects" depending on the context.

How to use "not promising" in a sentence?

You can use "not promising" to describe various scenarios. For example, "The weather forecast is not promising for our picnic", or "Early test results are not promising".

Which is correct, "not promising" or "unpromising"?

Both "not promising" and "unpromising" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. "Unpromising" is a single word that directly means lacking promise, while "not promising" is a phrase that expresses the same idea using negation.