not taking place

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not taking place" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that an event or action is not occurring or has been canceled. Example: "The meeting is not taking place due to scheduling conflicts."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They're not taking place in England.

The New York Times

But that debate is not taking place.

The New York Times

A: The deal is not taking place in a vacuum.

Independent

"Some continued as if the protests were not taking place.

The Guardian

This affair is not taking place in a political vacuum.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That play is not taking place in an abstract universe.

The New York Times

"Some continued as if the protests were not taking place.

The Guardian

Busan, of course, is not taking place in a vacuum.

The Guardian

So far the Lincoln sweep is not taking place.

The Guardian - Film

Put simply, the main battle is not taking place in that arena.

The Economist

Treatment is immeasurably easier when it's not taking place between strangers.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not taking place" to clearly indicate that an event, meeting, or planned action is either being cancelled or simply isn't happening. It avoids ambiguity and is widely understood across different contexts.

Common error

While "not taking place" is acceptable, avoid overuse of passive constructions. In some cases, active voice can make your writing more direct and engaging. Instead of "The decision is not taking place now", consider "We are not making the decision now."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not taking place" functions as a verb phrase indicating the absence of an action or event. Ludwig AI confirms it's grammatically correct and widely used. This structure often forms part of a larger clause, clarifying that something is not happening as expected or planned, as demonstrated in the provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Science

30%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not taking place" is a grammatically correct and very common phrase used to indicate that an event or action is not occurring. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely used across various contexts, particularly in news, science, and formal business communications. While versatile, it's essential to avoid overuse of passive constructions and consider more direct alternatives when appropriate. When writing or editing, it's generally safe to use this expression knowing that it will be understood, but you may want to consider more direct or active voice options when possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not occurring

Focuses more directly on the lack of occurrence.

not happening

A more informal way to express that something isn't occurring.

not transpiring

A more formal and less common synonym.

being cancelled

Implies a planned event that has been called off.

not materializing

Emphasizes the failure of something to become real or happen.

called off

A more concise, informal way to say something is cancelled.

abandoned

Suggests something was started but then stopped.

fallen through

An idiom suggesting a plan or deal has failed to materialize.

off

A very short and informal way of saying an event is cancelled or not happening.

null and void

Suggests an agreement or arrangement is no longer valid.

FAQs

What does "not taking place" mean?

The phrase "not taking place" means that something is not happening, occurring, or being carried out. It's used to indicate that an event or action is being cancelled or simply isn't happening.

What are some alternatives to "not taking place"?

Alternatives to "not taking place" include "not occurring", "not happening", or "being cancelled" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not taking place"?

Yes, the phrase "not taking place" is grammatically correct and commonly used in written and spoken English. It follows standard grammatical rules.

How can I use "not taking place" in a sentence?

You can use "not taking place" to indicate that an event or action is not happening. For example: "The meeting is not taking place due to unforeseen circumstances" or "Construction is not taking place during the night hours".