that was not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "that was not" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it after a noun or verb to indicate that something is not true. For example: The statement she made was not accurate.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Sorry, that was not correct.

The New York Times

That was not easy.

The New York Times - Sports

That was not surprising.

The New York Times

"That was not ideal".

The New York Times

That was not unusual.

The New York Times

That was not weird.

The New York Times

That was not exceptional.

The Economist

That was not funny.

The New York Times

That was not deliberate.

The New Yorker

That was not open.

The New York Times - Sports

That was not good.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that was not" to politely disagree or correct a statement. It provides a clear negation without being overly aggressive.

Common error

Avoid using "that was not" in overly complex sentences where a simpler negation would suffice. Clarity is key; ensure the negation directly relates to the intended subject.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "that was not" is to negate a statement or idea expressed in the past. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is used to indicate that something is incorrect, untrue, or did not occur as suggested. The phrase follows standard grammatical rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "that was not" is a very common and grammatically correct way to negate a statement or idea in the past. According to Ludwig AI, it's perfectly acceptable in written English. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves to correct inaccuracies or express disagreement. For alternative expressions, consider using "it wasn't" or "that is not", depending on the specific context and desired level of formality. When using "that was not", ensure the negation directly relates to the intended subject for maximum clarity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it wasn't

A contraction of "that was not", offering a more informal tone.

that wasn't

Contracted form indicating past negation, like "it wasn't".

that is not

Shifts the tense to the present, negating a current condition.

it did not

Changes the verb and tense, negating a past action.

that's not true

Directly contradicts a statement as being false.

that is incorrect

More formal way of saying something is not right.

that is false

Formally states a piece of information is untrue.

it's not the case

More elaborate way of saying something is not happening or is not true.

this is inaccurate

Similar to "that is incorrect" but refers to specific information.

that's simply not the case

Emphasizes that something is absolutely not true.

FAQs

How can I use "that was not" in a sentence?

Use "that was not" after stating something to clarify that it is incorrect or untrue. For example, "The information presented "that was not" accurate."

What can I say instead of "that was not"?

You can use alternatives like "it wasn't", "that is not", or "it did not" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "that was not" or "that weren't"?

"That was not" is correct when referring to a singular subject. "That weren't" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "that was not" and "that is not"?

"That was not" refers to something in the past, while "that is not" refers to something in the present.