patently no

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patently no" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphatically reject or deny something, indicating that the answer is clearly and obviously no. Example: "When asked if he would support the proposal, his response was patently no."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Yet, he continued, "there is patently no legitimate overriding purpose independent of invidious racial discrimination which justifies this classification".

Encyclopedia Britannica

"We know we've got a long way to go and there are patently no grounds for complacency.

BBC

"There is patently no legitimate overriding purpose independent of invidious racial discrimination which justifies this classification," the Court decalred in its unanimous ruling against the anti-miscegenation law.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

Mr. Jasperse is one of them, and he also does a very funny turn as a hammy magician, looking delighted with tricks that patently fool no one.

The New York Times - Arts

In the spring, even while he patently had no idea what to do, Mr Davis was adept at winning the blame game.Can Mr Davis do it?

The Economist

In several dialogues she argues that certain actions are patently evil, no matter how popular they are in particular cultures or governments.

SEP

"That is false, patently untrue, no one at this campaign was involved in this story," said Perry communications director Ray Sullivan.

Huffington Post

He had limited intelligence at the best of times, was patently of no benefit to society, and while it pains me to say this, perhaps it would have been better for all concerned if this profoundly ordinary Mancunian had succumbed to his affliction like the capricious fret-mangler Hendrix.

Vice

It is patently not true, but no one complains.

The Guardian - Sport

"Do you want to be in or not?" "It is ridiculous to say now that Britain is in the heart of Europe, we're patently not... there is no reason at all why together with other countries which I think basically share our view of the thing we shouldn't construct a relationship that better suits us, that better suits the interests of British business," he said.

BBC

Patently, there is no colony on the moon.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patently no" to emphasize the obviousness or clear impossibility of something, adding a strong sense of certainty to your statement. This phrase is suitable when the negative answer is beyond dispute.

Common error

Avoid using "patently no" in casual conversations or informal writing where its formality might seem out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "definitely not" or "clearly not" in such scenarios.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patently no" functions as an emphatic negative assertion. The adverb 'patently' modifies the negation, reinforcing the obviousness of the negative response. Ludwig AI indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Encyclopedias

17%

Science

17%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "patently no" is an emphatic way to express negation, indicating that something is obviously not the case. It is considered grammatically correct, as validated by Ludwig AI, and is mostly encountered in news and media, and sometimes found in scientific and encyclopedic texts. While effective in professional or journalistic writing for adding emphasis, it's less suitable for casual conversation where simpler alternatives like ""clearly not"" or ""obviously not"" may be more appropriate. Remember to use "patently no" when you want to leave absolutely no room for doubt.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

obviously not

Directly negates something with clear and evident obviousness.

clearly not

Indicates a lack of something in a way that is easy to perceive.

plainly not

Expresses a negation that is straightforward and evident.

undeniably no

Emphasizes that a negative answer is impossible to dispute.

absolutely not

A strong refusal indicating no possibility of an affirmative response.

definitely not

Indicates a firm and certain negation.

certainly not

Similar to 'definitely not', but might carry slightly more formality.

by no means

Expresses a strong denial or impossibility.

in no way

Denies a possibility or connection.

not at all

Implies a complete absence or negation of something.

FAQs

How can I use "patently no" in a sentence?

You can use "patently no" to emphasize a strong negative assertion. For example, "Is there any chance of that happening? The answer is "patently no"."

What are some alternatives to "patently no"?

Alternatives include "obviously not", "clearly not", or "absolutely not". The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis and formality.

Is "patently no" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "patently no" is suitable for formal writing when you want to stress that something is undeniably false or impossible. It conveys a sense of certainty and obviousness.

What is the difference between "patently no" and "simply no"?

"Patently no" implies that the negative answer is obvious and undeniable, whereas "simply no" is a straightforward refusal without emphasizing the obviousness.