they are not

USAGE SUMMARY

"they are not" is both correct and usable in written English.
You could use it as a response to a question. For example: "Do they like sports?" "No, they are not interested in sports."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They are not regulated".

The New York Times

They are not racist.

Independent

Alas, they are not.

The New York Times

They are not technicalities!

The New Yorker

They are not eager.

The New York Times

They are not nice.

The New York Times

They are not kidding.

The New York Times - Science

Dangerous they are not.

Independent

They are not here.

The New Yorker

They are not fulfilled.

The New Yorker

"They are not gratuitous.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When negating a statement, ensure the negation clearly applies to the intended subject. For clarity, consider rephrasing complex sentences to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid placing "only" or "just" immediately before "they are not" if the intended meaning is different. Misplacing these adverbs can alter the sentence's focus and create confusion.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "they are not" functions as a negation, denying a characteristic, action, or state attributed to a plural subject. Ludwig confirms this, providing examples across various contexts where the phrase clearly serves to contradict or deny something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "they are not" is a versatile and grammatically sound phrase used for negation. As confirmed by Ludwig, it is frequently found in news and media, as well as science and formal business contexts. The phrase serves the purpose of correcting, clarifying, or disputing information. For a more informal tone, contractions like "they're not" or "they aren't" can be used. Remember to avoid misplacing adverbs to maintain clarity and emphasis. With its widespread use and clear function, mastering "they are not" enhances communication across various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

they're not

This is a contraction of "they are not", offering a more informal tone.

they aren't

Another contraction with slightly different emphasis, suitable for informal contexts.

they do not

This phrase is used when adding emphasis to the negation.

they're definitely not

Adds emphasis to the negation using "definitely", indicating a stronger assertion.

they're certainly not

This alternative reinforces the negation with "certainly", highlighting the absence of doubt.

they simply are not

This alternative adds the adverb "simply" to emphasize the plainness of the negation.

those are not

Changes the pronoun to "those" to refer to specific items or individuals.

that is not

Shifts the subject to a singular form, changing the perspective.

it is not the case that they are

Emphasizes that what follows is not true.

contrary to what is believed, they aren't

Introduces a sense of contrast or disagreement with a prevailing belief.

FAQs

How can I use "they are not" in a sentence?

You can use "they are not" to negate a characteristic or action of a group. For example, "They are not going to the party" or "They are not responsible for the error".

What's a more informal way to say "they are not"?

Informally, you can use contractions like "they're not" or "they aren't".

Which is correct: "they are not" or "they isn't"?

"They are not" is correct. "They isn't" is grammatically incorrect because "isn't" is a contraction of "is not", which is used with singular subjects.

What alternatives can I use to emphasize that something is not the case, instead of saying "they are not"?

To emphasize a negation, you could say "they're definitely not", "they're certainly not", or "they simply are not" depending on the context.