sort of not

USAGE SUMMARY

"sort of not" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to express a degree of uncertainty or ambivalence about a statement. Example: "I’m sort of not sure if I want to go." Alternative expressions include "kind of not" and "somewhat not."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Arts

Sports

Culture

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Clever, sort of, not really.

The New York Times

Sort of meaning it, sort of not.

The Times

That's sort of not an issue".

The Guardian

Sort of, but sort of not.

The New York Times - Travel

"I'm sort of not proud of myself.

The Guardian

TECH: That's sort of not ideal.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

Worst of all, she lets her sort-of-not-really-boyfriend call her a dirty little whore and smash her face into the mattress.

The New York Times - Magazine

For its first two-thirds the film takes its time, sketching in life in the camp and showing Narasimha's sort-of, not-really political education.

The New York Times

The sort-of-not-quite slow motion.

Forbes

DEEP DOWN inside, beneath a sort-of-cool, sort-of-not exterior, Michael Chang feels utterly ordinary.

Los Angeles Times

Are guys less into the soosh than girls because of the sort-of-not-really pussy quality?

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sort of not" to express uncertainty or ambivalence when you don't want to give a direct 'no'. It softens the negation, making it less confrontational.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "sort of not" in your writing. While it can be useful for expressing nuance, overuse can make your writing sound hesitant and unsure. Opt for more direct language when possible.

Linguistic Context

Qualifying Adverbial Phrase: "Sort of not" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, expressing a degree of uncertainty or partial negation. As per Ludwig's findings, this phrase is deemed correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Science

10%

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

10%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sort of not" is a versatile phrase used to express uncertainty, partial negation, or ambivalence. Ludwig AI indicates that it's grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media and informal contexts. While it is considered acceptable, be mindful of overuse, as it can make your writing sound hesitant. Consider alternatives like "not really" or "kind of not" to maintain clarity and precision in your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

kind of not

Interchangeable with "sort of not", offering the same level of uncertainty.

not really

Emphasizes a stronger degree of negation than "sort of not".

somewhat not

Uses "somewhat" to express a slight degree of negation.

not exactly

Indicates that something is close but does not completely fit a description.

not quite

Suggests something is close to being true but falls short.

not entirely

Similar to partially, but emphasizes the incomplete nature of something.

partially

Implies that something is true to a certain extent, but not entirely.

not altogether

Suggests that something is not true in every aspect.

to some extent not

More formal way of expressing partial disagreement.

in a way not

Highlights a specific aspect where something does not apply.

FAQs

How can I use "sort of not" in a sentence?

"Sort of not" is used to express a degree of uncertainty or to soften a negative statement. For example, "I'm "sort of not" sure if I want to go to the party."

What does "sort of not" mean?

The phrase "sort of not" indicates a partial negation or a feeling of ambivalence. It means something is not entirely true or that someone is not completely certain about something.

What are some alternatives to "sort of not"?

Alternatives to "sort of not" include "not really", "kind of not", or "not exactly". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of uncertainty you want to convey.

Is "sort of not" grammatically correct?

Yes, "sort of not" is grammatically correct and commonly used in spoken and written English, particularly in informal contexts. Ludwig confirms its acceptability.