this was not

USAGE SUMMARY

"This was not" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something isn't true, to contrast with something else that has been said, or to preface a denial or refusal. For example, "This was not the meal I ordered; I asked for the vegetarian option."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This was not uncommon.

The New York Times

This was not undercover".

The New York Times

Tuscany, this was not.

The New Yorker

"This was not methodical".

The New York Times

This was not hard.

The New Yorker

"This was not easy.

The New York Times

This was not unprecedented.

The New Yorker

This was not unusual.

The New York Times - Sports

This was not cool.

The New Yorker

This was not hyperbole.

The New York Times - Arts

This was not charity.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this was not" to clearly negate a previous statement or assumption. It's effective for setting the record straight or providing a contrasting perspective.

Common error

Avoid using "this was not" in overly complex sentences where the negation can become unclear. Simplify the sentence or rephrase to ensure the negative meaning is immediately apparent.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this was not" functions as a negative statement, used to deny, contradict, or correct a previous assertion or expectation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a correct and usable phrase, frequently employed to introduce a contrasting perspective.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this was not" is a grammatically sound and exceedingly common phrase used to express negation, denial, or contrast, confirmed by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media contexts, it maintains a neutral register, rendering it suitable for various communication needs. Its function revolves around correcting assumptions or stating contrary facts. When aiming for semantic similarity, alternatives like "that wasn't" or "it wasn't" can also be used. Best practices involve using it to directly negate, while common errors entail overcomplicating sentence structures. In all, "this was not" serves as a straightforward, multipurpose phrase for clear communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that wasn't

Uses a contraction for 'was not', making it slightly more informal.

it wasn't

Shifts the focus to 'it' as the subject, altering the emphasis.

that is not

Uses 'is' instead of 'was', indicating present tense rather than past.

it is not

Emphasizes the present state as opposed to a past one.

this did not

Uses 'did not' to negate an action rather than a state of being.

that wasn't the case

Rephrases to focus on the situation or circumstance.

this is incorrect

Directly states the information is wrong or inaccurate.

this isn't right

Indicates something is not correct or appropriate.

that is untrue

More formal and direct assertion that something is not factual.

it's not the situation

Focuses on the scenario being different than expected.

FAQs

How can I rephrase "this was not" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, you can replace "this was not" with phrases such as "this is not the case", "that was not the situation", or "this assertion is incorrect".

What's the difference between "this was not" and "this did not"?

"This was not" negates a state of being, while "this did not" negates an action. For example, "This was not my intention" versus "This did not happen as planned".

Is it ever acceptable to use a double negative instead of "this was not"?

While grammatically incorrect, double negatives can sometimes be used for emphasis in informal speech. However, in formal writing, it's best to avoid them and use "this was not" or a similar clear negation.

Can I use "this wasn't" instead of "this was not"?

Yes, "this wasn't" is a contraction of "this was not" and is perfectly acceptable in most contexts, especially in speech and informal writing. However, in highly formal writing, it's best to use the full form, "this was not".