you are not

USAGE SUMMARY

"you are not" is a valid and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to deny something or to indicate an absence of something. For example, "You are not late" or "You are not the only one who feels this way."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You are not crazy.

Computer and Information Security Handbook

You are not behind.

The New York Times

/ You are not home.

The New Yorker

You are not dreaming.

The New Yorker

"You are not weird.

The New Yorker

You are NOT fat".

The New York Times

You are not fun.

The Guardian

You are not.

The New York Times

"You are not important.

The New York Times

You are not special".

The New York Times

You are not unemotional.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you are not" to clearly and directly negate a statement or characteristic associated with the person you are addressing. For instance, "You are not alone" can offer support, while "You are not correct" can offer polite disagreement.

Common error

Avoid stringing together multiple clauses with "you are not" as it can lead to convoluted and unclear writing. Break down complex ideas into simpler sentences for better readability and impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you are not" functions as a negation, directly contradicting a statement or attribute associated with the addressee. It asserts that a particular quality, state, or action does not apply to the person being addressed, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

20%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "you are not" serves as a straightforward way to express negation, with widespread use across various writing styles. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. It’s often employed to refute a statement, offer reassurance, or provide a counter-argument. While generally neutral in tone, consider using contractions in more informal settings. Remember to ensure clarity by avoiding overuse in overly complex sentences. This phrase is very common, especially in news and media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you aren't

Contraction of "you are not", providing a more informal alternative.

you're not

Alternative contraction of "you are not", also providing a more informal option.

you do not

Emphasizes the action being negated, rather than a state of being.

it's not you

Shifts the focus to the other person, implying that the issue lies elsewhere.

that is false

Directly refutes a previous statement about the listener.

that's not true

Similar to "that is false", but can also express disagreement with an opinion.

it isn't you

Contraction form, it is not you.

you've got it wrong

Implies a misunderstanding or incorrect assumption.

that is incorrect

A formal way of stating that something is not right.

you're mistaken

Suggests that the person has made an error in their thinking.

FAQs

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

"You are not" is used to negate a statement about the person being addressed. For example, "You are not wrong" expresses agreement, while "You are not invited" indicates exclusion.

What is a more formal alternative to "you are not"?

While "you are not" is acceptable in most contexts, you might consider "it is not the case that you are" for highly formal writing. However, directness is often preferred for clarity.

Which is correct, "you are not" or "you aren't"?

Both "you are not" and "you aren't" are grammatically correct. "You aren't" is a contraction of "you are not" and is generally considered more informal.

What's the difference between "you are not" and "it's not you"?

"You are not" directly addresses something about the person. In contrast, "it's not you" deflects blame or responsibility away from the person, suggesting the problem lies elsewhere.