not right

USAGE SUMMARY

"not right" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when something is wrong or unfair, or when something is not the expected outcome. For example, "This decision is not right; the judge should have been more impartial."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not Right.

The New York Times

They're just not right".

The New Yorker

Something was not right.

The New York Times

"Just not right now".

The New York Times - Books

Not right away.

The New York Times

Why not right now?

The New Yorker

No, he's not right.

The New York Times

Just not right away.

The New York Times

"Something is not right.

The New York Times - Sports

"It is not right.

The New York Times

That's not right".

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use “not right” to express a feeling that something doesn’t seem normal or accurate. Example: “Something’s not right about this data.”

Common error

While "not right" is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation, it can sometimes sound too informal for academic or professional writing. Consider using more precise and nuanced alternatives, such as "incorrect", "inaccurate", or "inappropriate", to convey your meaning with greater clarity and sophistication.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not right" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to indicate that something is incorrect, inappropriate, or morally questionable. Ludwig AI confirms this usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Science

11%

Formal & Business

4%

Less common in

Wiki

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Academic

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not right" functions as an adjective phrase, commonly used to express that something is incorrect, inappropriate, or unfair. Ludwig AI's analysis shows it is considered grammatically correct and appears frequently in diverse contexts, especially in News & Media. While versatile, it's important to consider formality, opting for more precise alternatives like "incorrect" or "inappropriate" in formal writing. Overall, "not right" is a widely understood and usable phrase, as corroborated by the variety of examples and authoritative sources.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not acceptable

Focuses on the unacceptability of something based on standards or rules.

not proper

Similar to "inappropriate", but emphasizes adherence to social conventions or etiquette.

incorrect

Single word replacement with a focus on factual inaccuracy.

inaccurate

Similar to "incorrect", but often used when referring to data or information.

inappropriate

Focuses on the unsuitability of something in a given context.

something's wrong

Shifts the focus to a general sense of unease or that something is not as it should be.

unfair

Emphasizes a lack of justice or equity.

amiss

A more formal way of saying something is wrong or out of place.

out of order

Implies a disruption of the proper sequence or functioning of something.

out of line

Suggests that someone has behaved inappropriately or exceeded acceptable boundaries.

FAQs

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

You can use "not right" to express that something is incorrect, unfair, or inappropriate. For example: "The answer you provided is "not right"", or "It's "not right" that some people have so much while others have so little".

What are some alternatives to saying "not right"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "incorrect", "inaccurate", "unfair", or "inappropriate". Each of these words carries a slightly different connotation, so choose the one that best fits the specific situation.

Is it ever inappropriate to use the phrase "not right"?

While generally acceptable, "not right" may be too informal for certain professional or academic contexts. In those situations, opting for a more formal alternative, such as "incorrect" or "inappropriate", might be more suitable.

What's the difference between "not right" and "wrong"?

While "not right" and "wrong" are often interchangeable, "wrong" can sometimes carry a stronger connotation of moral or ethical violation. "Not right" can be a more gentle or nuanced way of expressing disagreement or disapproval. You can also use the phrase "something is wrong".