that won't happen

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'that won't happen' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to express certainty that something will not take place. For example: "I was afraid I'd never get the job, but with all of my hard work, I'm sure that won't happen."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

No, that won't happen.

The New Yorker

Besides, that won't happen.

The Guardian - Sport

Hopefully that won't happen".

The Guardian - Music

But of course that won't happen.

The New York Times

This year, that won't happen.

The New York Times - Sports

Without BAC that won't happen.

The Guardian

The Second Amendment guarantees that won't happen.

The New York Times

Then know that won't happen.

Forbes

Hopefully that won't happen today.

TechCrunch

Something that won't happen (probably).

Huffington Post

Except that won't happen.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "that won't happen" to confidently state that something will not occur, which is useful when reassuring someone or making a strong point. For example, "Don't worry, that won't happen again."

Common error

Avoid using "that won't happen" when you only mean something is unlikely. This phrase implies a high degree of certainty, so use alternatives like "that's unlikely" if there's still a possibility it could occur.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "that won't happen" functions as a declarative statement expressing a strong prediction or assurance that a particular event or situation will not occur. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is used to convey certainty.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Formal & Business

1%

Science

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "that won't happen" is a common and grammatically correct phrase used to express a confident prediction that something will not occur. Ludwig AI confirms its wide usage across various contexts, particularly in news and media. While adaptable to both formal and informal settings, it's crucial to use it accurately, ensuring the level of certainty matches the situation. Alternatives like "that is unlikely to happen" can be more appropriate when the outcome is less definitive. By adhering to these guidelines, you can effectively use "that won't happen" in your writing and speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that is not going to happen

Rephrases the original using "is not going to happen" for emphasis, adding a bit of redundancy but maintaining the core meaning.

there's no way that will happen

Adds emphasis to the impossibility of something happening, using a more emphatic tone.

that will not occur

Uses the more formal "occur" instead of "happen", making it slightly more suitable for formal contexts.

that's not happening

Shortened, more informal version using the present continuous tense to convey immediacy.

that is unlikely to happen

Expresses a lower degree of certainty, indicating something is improbable but not impossible.

that's impossible

Strongly asserts that something cannot occur, conveying a high degree of certainty.

that won't be the case

Shifts the focus to the state of affairs rather than the event itself, expressing disbelief or denial.

that is out of the question

Indicates that something is not permissible or acceptable, implying a firm refusal.

that stands no chance

Suggests that something has no possibility of success, implying a lack of opportunity.

it's not going to be

This emphasizes the state of not being, rather than the event of happening, subtly shifting the focus.

FAQs

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

Use "that won't happen" to confidently state that something will definitely not occur. For example: "I know you're worried about the project failing, but "that won't happen" because we have a strong team."

What are some alternatives to "that won't happen"?

You can use alternatives like "that is unlikely to happen", "that is not going to happen", or "that is impossible" depending on the context.

When should I use "that is unlikely to happen" instead of "that won't happen"?

Use "that is unlikely to happen" when you want to express a lower degree of certainty. "That won't happen" indicates a firm conviction that something will not occur, while "that is unlikely to happen" suggests it's improbable but still possible.

Is "that will not happen" more formal than "that won't happen"?

Yes, "that will not happen" is slightly more formal than "that won't happen". The contraction "won't" is generally considered less formal, so using the full form "that will not happen" is appropriate in more formal writing or speech.