not that optimistic

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not that optimistic" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing a moderate level of pessimism or a lack of strong hope regarding a situation or outcome. Example: "While I appreciate the efforts being made, I must admit I'm not that optimistic about the project's success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

15 human-written examples

"I'm not that optimistic.

The New Yorker

Industry consultants and analysts are not that optimistic.

The New York Times

Mr. Beyer, the consultant, said, "I'm not that optimistic about what will happen with United".

The New York Times

They aren't generally hopeful that Trump will recognize their movement, or that the G.O.P. will, and many of them are not that optimistic about the Democratic Party, either.

The New Yorker

I am not that optimistic," former Zhejiang sports chief Chen Peide, whose public revelations about soccer corruption led to the first wave of arrests more than a decade ago, told Chinese reporters.

The New Yorker

"I am not that optimistic that it will be over in just three months," said Mr. Tong in a phone interview, referring to the damage to Japan's automakers' sales, "it takes about a year".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

45 human-written examples

At this point, even the optimists do not sound that optimistic.

The New York Times

Not everyone is that optimistic, however.

Forbes

It's not that I'm not optimistic about the future for myself or my children.

The New York Times - Magazine

NFL-Forecast.com uses the team efficiency rankings of Advanced NFL Stats, and even Brian Burke, who runs Advanced NFL Stats, isn't that optimistic.

The New York Times

Sorry, but I'm afraid I'm not quite that optimistic.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not that optimistic" to express a measured lack of hope, avoiding overly negative or pessimistic tones. It's suitable when acknowledging efforts but doubting the outcome.

Common error

Avoid stacking negatives when using "not that optimistic". For example, instead of saying "I'm not that optimistic that it won't fail", rephrase it to "I'm not that optimistic it will succeed" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not that optimistic" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a subject to express a degree of pessimism or lack of strong hope. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It tempers expectations, indicating a cautious outlook rather than outright despair.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not that optimistic" is a grammatically sound and versatile expression used to convey a tempered lack of hope. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's suitable for various contexts, from news reports to casual conversations. While alternatives like "somewhat pessimistic" or "not very hopeful" exist, "not that optimistic" strikes a balance between acknowledging potential positives and expressing doubt. When using this phrase, ensure clarity by avoiding stacked negatives. Its frequency in news and media underscores its relevance in discussing uncertain outcomes with a neutral tone.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not very hopeful

Suggests a lack of strong hope, similar in intensity to "not that optimistic".

not particularly positive

Conveys a lack of enthusiasm or expectation of good results.

somewhat pessimistic

Indicates a slight degree of pessimism, less forceful than "not that optimistic".

pessimistic to a degree

Highlights that the pessimism is limited or not absolute.

rather doubtful

Emphasizes uncertainty and disbelief in a positive outcome.

tempered expectations

Indicates a deliberate lowering of expectations to avoid disappointment.

without much anticipation

Focuses on the absence of excitement or eagerness about something.

not filled with anticipation

Similar to "without much anticipation", but emphasizes the emotional state.

lacking enthusiasm

Highlights the absence of excitement or zeal.

slightly cynical

Implies a distrust of others' motives and a generally negative outlook.

FAQs

How can I use "not that optimistic" in a sentence?

You can use "not that optimistic" to express a moderate level of pessimism or a lack of strong hope regarding a situation or outcome. For example, "While I appreciate the efforts being made, I'm "not that optimistic" about the project's success."

What are some alternatives to saying "not that optimistic"?

Alternatives include "somewhat pessimistic", "not very hopeful", or "rather doubtful" depending on the context and the degree of pessimism you wish to convey.

Is "not that optimistic" a formal or informal expression?

"Not that optimistic" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's a relatively neutral expression that avoids being overly casual or overly technical.

What's the difference between "not that optimistic" and "pessimistic"?

"Not that optimistic" implies a moderate level of doubt, while "pessimistic" suggests a stronger belief that things will turn out badly. "Not that optimistic" can be a more nuanced and less forceful way to express doubt.