that isn't

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that isn't" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is commonly used as a contraction of "that is not." Example: "I thought you were going to the store, but that isn't necessary now because I found what we needed."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Of course, that isn't possible.

The New York Times

"But today that isn't so".

The New York Times

No, that isn't the joke.

Independent

But that isn't reality.

The New York Times - Sports

That isn't assured.

The Economist

That isn't always enough.

The New York Times - Arts

That isn't funny.

The New York Times

That isn't simple either.

The Economist

That isn't enough, though.

The New Yorker

That isn't so surprising.

The New York Times

That isn't happening.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that isn't" to offer a concise and clear negation, suitable for both formal and informal contexts. It's especially effective when you want to quickly dismiss a misconception or incorrect assumption.

Common error

Avoid using "that is not" in casual conversation where the contraction "that isn't" would sound more natural. The full form can sometimes come across as overly stiff or pedantic in less formal contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that isn't" functions as a negation or denial. It's used to contradict a statement, correct a misunderstanding, or express disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically correct contraction of "that is not".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that isn't" serves as a common and grammatically correct way to express negation or disagreement. Ludwig AI confirms its validity, and its usage spans various contexts, predominantly within news and media. While versatile, it's important to consider the tone of the setting, favoring the contraction in most scenarios but opting for "that is not" when emphasis or formality is needed. Remember to use "that isn't" to clearly contradict statements and correct any misunderstandings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is not

Expands the contraction "isn't" to its full form, "is not", for a more formal tone.

that's not

Uses the contraction "that's" instead of "that is", creating a slightly more informal tone while maintaining the same meaning.

it is not that

Changes the sentence structure to emphasize the "it" rather than "that", subtly shifting the focus.

that cannot be

Employs "cannot be" to express impossibility or disbelief, rather than a simple negation.

that does not seem to be

Introduces a degree of uncertainty or perception, making the negation less direct.

that is simply not the case

Replaces the direct negation with a more emphatic assertion of the contrary.

that is far from

Indicates a significant difference or distance from a specified condition or quality.

that hardly qualifies as

Suggests that something barely meets the criteria or expectations for a particular designation.

that is not necessarily

Adds a layer of contingency, implying that the statement may be true in some cases but not universally.

that is not exactly

Implies that something is close to, but not entirely, accurate or true.

FAQs

How can I use "that isn't" in a sentence?

Use "that isn't" to negate a statement or idea. For example, "I thought you were angry, but that isn't the case."

What's a more formal alternative to "that isn't"?

A more formal alternative is "that is not". The contracted form, "that isn't", is generally suitable for most situations, but "that is not" can be used for emphasis or in very formal writing.

Is there a difference between "that isn't" and "it isn't"?

Yes, "that isn't" typically refers back to a specific statement or idea previously mentioned, while "it isn't" refers to a general situation or a subject already under discussion. For example, "He claimed he was an expert, but that isn't true." versus "Is it raining? No, it isn't."

What can I say instead of "that isn't good enough"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "that is insufficient", "that is inadequate", or "that does not suffice".