used not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "used not" is not standard in written English and may cause confusion.
It can be used in a poetic or archaic context, but it is generally better to use more common phrasing. Example: "He used not to believe in ghosts."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

It is widely used, not only among us, but in many other nations.

The New York Times

That used not to matter much.

The Economist

Campaigns used not to cost so much.

The New Yorker

It used not to be like that.

The Guardian

It used not to be that way.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It used not to be this way.

The Guardian - Books

"I used not to look at women in the niqab.

The New Yorker

Vegetarians and Christmas used not to be a perfect marriage.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Silicone implants are most frequently used, not saline implants.

The New York Times

She says she used not to care about politics.

The Economist

Of course, biotechnology can be used not only for defense but for offense.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

For modern writing, replace "used not" with "did not use" or "was not used" for better clarity and to avoid sounding archaic.

Common error

Avoid using "used not" in contemporary contexts where the standard "did not use" is more readily understood. The inverted structure can cause momentary confusion for readers.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "used not" functions as a negative verb phrase, indicating the absence of an action. However, Ludwig indicates this construction is not standard in modern English, suggesting alternative phrasings for improved clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "used not" is a grammatically acceptable but somewhat archaic construction used to negate the action of using something. Ludwig suggests that while it's understandable, using "did not use" or "was not used" is preferable in contemporary writing for clarity. Its usage is rare, primarily found in news and scientific articles. For best practices, opt for modern alternatives to enhance readability and avoid sounding old-fashioned.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

did not use

Replaces the inverted structure with a more standard and common construction.

was not used

Emphasizes the passive voice, clarifying that something was not subjected to use.

did not utilize

Substitutes "use" with the more formal "utilize", while maintaining standard word order.

failed to use

Highlights a failure or omission in using something.

chose not to use

Indicates a deliberate decision to abstain from using something.

refrained from using

Implies a conscious holding back from employing something.

did without

Offers a simpler way to say that something was not used because it wasn't needed or available.

avoided using

Highlights the action of actively evading the use of something.

bypassed the use of

Emphasizes that something was skipped or circumvented.

never employed

Replaces "used" with "employed", adding a sense of formality and indicating a complete lack of use.

FAQs

What does "used not" mean?

"Used not" is an older, somewhat archaic way of saying "did not use" or "was not used". It indicates that something was not utilized or employed.

How can I use "used not" in a sentence?

While grammatically correct, "used not" sounds old-fashioned. It's better to say "did not use" instead. For example, instead of "He used not to believe in ghosts", say "He did not use to believe in ghosts".

What is a more common alternative to "used not"?

The most common alternatives are "did not use" and "was not used". These phrases are widely understood and suitable for almost any context.

When should I use "used not" instead of "did not use"?

You might use "used not" in historical fiction or when trying to evoke an older style of writing. However, in most modern writing, "did not use" is preferred for its clarity and contemporary feel.