this not that

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "this not that" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize a preference or distinction between two options. Example: "I prefer this not that when choosing a dessert." Alternative expressions include "this over that" and "this instead of that."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

54 human-written examples

Here's an example, Wear This, Not That: Reuse Jeans vs Guess.

The New York Times

EAT THIS NOT THAT! SUPERMARKET SURVIVAL GUIDE, by David Zinczenko with Matt Goulding.

The New York Times

The book, "Eat This, Not That!" by Men's Health editor-in-chief David Zinczenko, has become one of the hottest selling nutrition guides in book stores.

The New York Times

The concept is so popular you can now get an "Eat This, Not That!" iPhone app that suggests food swaps both at restaurant chains and supermarkets.

The New York Times

To prove our point, we built a feature on our Web site that we call Wear This, Not That (see photo above).

The New York Times

This season, Men's Health will also put the show in its December issue, and its editor in chief, David Zinczenko, author of the best seller "Eat This, Not That!" will go on the show.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

6 human-written examples

For her this-not-that advice, she charges $275 an hour, with a 10-hour minimum.

The New York Times

We seem to live in a world of bizarre culinary trends, quickly-evolving health research and a barrage of eat-this-not-that PSAs.

HuffPost

Distinctions arise from indexed here-now points in the actual network of dào perspectives by travelers on a trajectory along one of the dàos choosing 是非 shì-fēi this-not that from among multiple possible courses of behavior afforded by the cosmos.

SEP

Last month brought the publication of "Cook This, Not That!

The New York Times

But then Border Cafe, though whimsical, is - how can I put this - not that great.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this not that" to clearly present alternatives and guide decision-making in writing, especially when simplifying complex choices for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "this not that" excessively in formal or academic writing. While effective for clarity, it can sound simplistic. Opt for more nuanced language to convey complex comparisons.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this not that" functions as a directive comparison, presenting two options and implicitly guiding the audience to choose the former. This is supported by Ludwig's examples, where the phrase is used to highlight preferred alternatives across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

18%

Formal & Business

12%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

8%

Academia

7%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this not that" serves as a powerful tool for clear communication and decision-making. As Ludwig AI points out, this phrase is grammatically sound and enjoys widespread usage across diverse contexts, notably in News & Media. While versatile, it's best to avoid overuse in strictly formal settings. For alternatives, consider options like "this instead of that" to subtly shift the emphasis. Master its usage, and you'll steer your readers towards informed choices with ease.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

this instead of that

Emphasizes substitution of one thing for another.

choose this over that

Directly indicates a preference.

opt for this, not that

A more formal way to express a preference.

prefer this to that

Expresses a liking for one thing more than another.

take this, leave that

A more decisive and sometimes dismissive way of expressing choice.

this rather than that

Highlights a contrast and preference.

go with this, not that

An informal suggestion to select one option.

select this over that

Indicates a deliberate choice.

embrace this, reject that

A stronger, more decisive choice.

favor this over that

Expresses a bias towards one option.

FAQs

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

Use "this not that" to present a clear choice between two options. For example, "We should focus on innovation, "this not that" on cost-cutting measures."

What's the difference between "this not that" and "this instead of that"?

"This not that" directly contrasts two options, while "this instead of that" emphasizes the substitution of one for the other. The choice depends on whether you want to highlight the contrast or the replacement.

What can I say instead of "this not that" in a formal context?

In formal contexts, consider alternatives like "this rather than that" or "choose "this over that"" to maintain a more sophisticated tone.

Is "this not that" grammatically correct?

Yes, "this not that" is grammatically correct and widely used to express a preference or selection between two distinct options.