was definitely not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "was definitely not" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something or someone was not the case. For example: "The trial result was definitely not what I had expected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

He was definitely not hostile.

Harvard University

"I was definitely not sober".

The New York Times

It was definitely not planned.

The Guardian - Music

He was definitely not careless".

The New York Times

It was definitely not legal.

The New York Times - Sports

He was definitely not a communist.

University of California, Berkeley

I was definitely not treading water.

The New York Times

That was definitely not done on purpose".

The New York Times - Sports

"It was definitely not just a gap.

Independent

That was definitely not the prevailing wisdom.

The Washington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

She's definitely not.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "was definitely not" to express a strong disagreement or denial of a previous statement or assumption. It adds emphasis and clarity.

Common error

While effective, overuse of "was definitely not" can make your writing sound repetitive or informal. Consider varying your phrasing with alternatives like "was certainly not" or "was absolutely not" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "was definitely not" functions as a strong negation. It emphatically denies a previous statement or assumption. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

11%

Science

7%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "was definitely not" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey strong negation or denial. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and widespread usage. While versatile, its direct tone may be more appropriate for neutral or informal contexts, whereas more formal writing benefits from alternatives like "was certainly not". As evidenced by its frequent appearance in sources such as The New York Times and The Guardian, it serves a crucial role in clarifying misunderstandings or emphasizing opposing viewpoints.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

was certainly not

Emphasizes certainty in the negation, similar to "was definitely not" but with a slightly different tone.

was absolutely not

Strengthens the negation using "absolutely", indicating no possibility of the statement being true.

was by no means

Indicates that something was not the case in any way or under any circumstances.

was not at all

Emphasizes the complete absence of a particular quality or condition.

was far from

Suggests a significant distance from being true or accurate.

couldn't have been

Expresses impossibility or strong disbelief.

was not in the slightest

Indicates a complete lack of something, emphasizing the negation.

was anything but

States that something was the opposite of what might be expected.

was quite the opposite

Highlights a direct contradiction or contrast.

was nowhere near

Indicates a large difference or gap, emphasizing the negation.

FAQs

How can I use "was definitely not" in a sentence?

Use "was definitely not" to strongly negate a statement. For example: "The movie was definitely not as good as the book."

What are some alternatives to "was definitely not"?

Alternatives include "was certainly not", "was absolutely not", or "was by no means". The best choice depends on the specific context and level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "was definitely not" considered formal or informal?

"Was definitely not" is generally considered neutral to slightly informal. For more formal writing, consider alternatives like "was certainly not".

What's the difference between "was definitely not" and "was not"?

"Was definitely not" adds emphasis to the negation, making it stronger than a simple "was not". It conveys a sense of certainty or strong disagreement.