not so

USAGE SUMMARY

"not so" is a common phrase used in written English.
It usually means "not as much or not as well" as the preceding phrase. For example: The pressure to perform was intense, but the rewards were not so great.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Not so.

The New York Times

Not so, America, not so!

The New York Times

"Not so much, maybe not so much.

The Guardian - Film

Not so smaller ones.

The Economist

Not so the Constitution.

The New Yorker

Well, not so subtle!

The New Yorker

Not so lucky".

The New Yorker

Again, not so fast.

Independent

Not so O.K.

The New York Times

Actually, not so fast.

The New York Times

Not so high [pressure].

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not so" to offer a concise and direct disagreement or correction. It is most effective when the context is already clear.

Common error

Avoid using "not so" excessively in formal academic papers or business reports. More elaborate and precise language is usually preferred in formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "not so" is as an adverbial phrase used for negation or contradiction. It serves to directly counter a preceding statement, assertion, or assumption. Ludwig highlights numerous examples where it functions in this manner.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Formal & Business

7%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not so" is a common adverbial phrase used for negation and contradiction, as confirmed by Ludwig. It serves to directly counter a preceding statement or assumption. While grammatically correct and found in various contexts, it is best suited for neutral to informal communication. Ludwig AI's analysis, combined with the high frequency of examples from sources like The New York Times, The Economist, and The Guardian, shows its widespread usage and acceptability.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's not right

Replaces "not so" with a more explicit statement of incorrectness.

that's incorrect

Provides a direct and formal assertion of inaccuracy.

that isn't the case

Offers a more elaborate way to negate a previous statement.

it's not like that

Suggests that the situation is different from what was implied.

that's not true

Declares a statement to be false.

on the contrary

Introduces an opposing viewpoint or fact.

quite the opposite

Emphasizes that the reality is the reverse of what was stated.

actually, no

Adds a layer of surprise or correction to a negative response.

hardly

Implies that something is not true or likely.

far from it

Indicates that something is definitely not the case.

FAQs

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

"Not so" is used to negate or contradict a previous statement, implying that something is not as it was described. For example, "You think it's easy? "Not so"!"

What's a more formal alternative to "not so"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "that is incorrect", "that is not the case", or "on the contrary" instead of the more casual "not so".

Is "not so" grammatically correct?

Yes, "not so" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, particularly in informal contexts.

What does "not so fast" mean?

"Not so fast" is an idiom that means "wait a moment" or "don't be too hasty". It's used to caution someone against acting too quickly. Similar alternatives are "hold on" or "wait a minute".