ostensibly not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "ostensibly not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something appears to be the case, but there is a suggestion that it may not be true. Example: "The project is ostensibly not a priority for the management, but there are signs that it is receiving more attention than expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

The Good Wife is ostensibly not a show so many critics and fans should enjoy.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

The administration is already escalating its force presence in Iraq, though ostensibly not for combat purposes.

The Guardian

Michael Howard sacked him ostensibly not because of the affair, but because Boris lied to him.

The Guardian - Books

instituted a new rule, ostensibly not aimed specifically at Pistorius, relating to running-shoe technology that employed "springs".

The New York Times - Magazine

But the reasons for his contract not being renewed are, ostensibly, not to do with him, but rather his backroom staff.

The Guardian - Sport

Organized medicine invariably opposes wider scopes of practice and independent practice of nonphysician health professionals, ostensibly not to protect economic turf but to protect the quality of patient care.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

"He got fired ostensibly for not being truthful, or not following the law".

Huffington Post

This was surprising because the vegetarians ostensibly did not consume poultry and, therefore, should not have been directly exposed to poultry-source E. coli.

Emerging Infectious Diseases

One day after Manny Ramirez told ESPNDeportes.com that he was "staying in Boston" and ostensibly did not want to be traded from the Red Sox, his agent reiterated yesterday that Ramirez had not withdrawn his trade request.

The New York Times

That way the job, ostensibly, does not move abroad.

The New York Times

As I crept closer, the boy was being scolded by his mother — ostensibly about not finishing his dinner.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "ostensibly not" to introduce a statement that appears to be true but may conceal a different reality. This adds nuance and encourages critical thinking from the reader.

Common error

While "ostensibly not" is grammatically sound, avoid using it too frequently in casual conversation or informal writing. Opt for simpler alternatives like "seemingly not" or "apparently not" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "ostensibly not" functions as an adverbial modifier, adding nuance to a statement by suggesting that something is not what it seems. It introduces an element of doubt or contrast. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s grammatically sound and usable.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "ostensibly not" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression that adds nuance to statements by suggesting a potential discrepancy between appearance and reality. According to Ludwig AI, it’s a valid and useful phrase. While frequently found in News & Media and Scientific contexts, its formality makes it less suitable for casual settings. Consider alternatives like "apparently not" or "seemingly not" in informal conversations. Remember that using "ostensibly not" can invite deeper analysis and skepticism from your audience.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

apparently not

Replaces "ostensibly" with "apparently", suggesting something seems untrue based on available evidence.

seemingly not

Substitutes "ostensibly" with "seemingly", indicating an appearance that may be deceptive.

not ostensibly

Inverts the phrase, maintaining the core meaning while slightly altering the emphasis.

on the surface not

Adds the "on the surface" qualifier, stressing the superficial nature of the statement's untruthfulness.

purportedly not

Replaces "ostensibly" with "purportedly", emphasizing a claim's questionable validity.

allegedly not

Implies the information's uncertainty by using "allegedly".

supposedly not

Uses "supposedly" to indicate a common belief that might not be true.

ostensibly not so

Rephrases "ostensibly not" with "ostensibly not so", indicating that something is apparently not the case.

ostensibly it isn't

Expands "ostensibly not" into a longer, more explicit statement.

not in appearance

Uses "not in appearance" to emphasize the contrast between how something appears and how it truly is.

FAQs

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

The phrase "ostensibly not" is used to indicate that something appears to be untrue or not the real reason. For example, "The project is ostensibly not a priority for the management, but there are signs that it is receiving more attention than expected."

What are some alternatives to "ostensibly not"?

You can use alternatives such as "apparently not", "seemingly not", or "not ostensibly" depending on the context.

Is "ostensibly not" formal or informal?

"Ostensibly not" leans towards the formal side and is more appropriate in written English or professional communication. In informal contexts, consider using alternatives like "seemingly not".

What's the difference between "ostensibly not" and "actually not"?

"Ostensibly not" implies that something appears to be untrue, while "actually not" states a fact. "Ostensibly not" introduces an element of doubt or hidden reality.