patently not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "patently not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphatically deny or reject a statement or idea, indicating that something is clearly or obviously not the case. Example: "The evidence presented in the report is patently not sufficient to support the claims made by the defendant."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This is patently not true.

Harvard University

This is patently not the case.

The Guardian - Opinion

"That is patently not the case".

The New York Times

Ms. Gullion said: "This is patently not true.

The New York Times

Is this because women don't write SF? Patently not.

The Guardian - Books

In most cases, this is patently not true.

The Guardian - Books

It is patently not true, but no one complains.

The Guardian - Sport

This was patently not Khamenei and so his selection in 1989 provoked concern amongst the religious.

The Guardian - Opinion

Not that healthy things actually are delicious – that's patently not true.

The Guardian - Opinion

Yet that is not the end of the matter; patently not.

The Guardian - Opinion

No, this meisterschaft is patently not a real championship of any sorts.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "patently not" to express a strong and clear disagreement or contradiction with a statement. It is most effective when the opposing viewpoint is demonstrably false or illogical.

Common error

Avoid using "patently not" in very casual or informal settings, as its formal tone may sound overly assertive or even sarcastic. Opt for simpler alternatives like "clearly not" or "obviously not" in such situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "patently not" functions as an adverbial phrase that emphatically negates a statement. It asserts that something is obviously or demonstrably untrue, adding a layer of certainty to the negation, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Academia

9%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Patently not" is a phrase used to express a strong disagreement or contradiction, indicating that something is clearly untrue. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and quite common, especially in News & Media. While it can be used in formal writing, it should be used judiciously in informal contexts. Alternatives like "clearly not" or "obviously not" may be more appropriate for casual settings. The phrase is frequently found in reputable sources, indicating its acceptance and usage in professional writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

clearly not

Replaces "patently" with "clearly", offering a slightly less formal tone.

obviously not

Substitutes "patently" with "obviously", indicating a self-evident negation.

plainly not

Uses "plainly" instead of "patently", suggesting a straightforward and evident contradiction.

decidedly not

Replaces "patently" with "decidedly", emphasizing a firm and resolute negation.

assuredly not

Uses "assuredly" to convey confidence in the negation, similar to "patently".

certainly not

Emphasizes the negation with "certainly", indicating a lack of doubt.

absolutely not

Strengthens the negation using "absolutely", expressing complete disagreement.

definitely not

Replaces "patently" with "definitely", indicating a clear and strong negation.

by no means

Expresses negation by indicating that something is not true under any circumstances.

far from it

Indicates that something is the opposite of what was suggested, implying a strong negation.

FAQs

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

"Patently not" is used to strongly deny something. For example, "The claim that the product is safe is "patently not" true, given the recent safety reports."

What's a less formal way to say "patently not"?

Alternatives to "patently not" include "clearly not", "obviously not", or "plainly not". These options are suitable for more casual conversation.

Is "patently not" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "patently not" is suitable for formal writing, as it conveys a strong and clear disagreement in a professional manner. It's often used in academic papers, legal documents, and business reports.

What is the difference between "patently not" and "absolutely not"?

Both phrases express strong disagreement, but "patently not" implies that the falsity is evident or obvious, while "absolutely not" simply emphasizes the disagreement without necessarily implying obviousness.