not
gb/nˈɑt/ us/nˈɑt/
A1
English
~ 100
nem, ne
A1
1
Usage pattern:
[not] + [verb/phrase]
I am not ready to leave yet.
Még nem vagyok kész elindulni.
She did not agree with the decision.
Nem értett egyet a döntéssel.
It's not possible to finish this today.
He is not coming to the meeting.
They are not interested in buying the house.
Learner examples
I am not happy.
Nem vagyok boldog.
He is not here.
Nincs itt.
It is not cold today.
She is not my friend.
We are not late.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes forget to use 'do/does/did' with 'not' in simple present and past negatives (e.g., 'I not like it' instead of 'I do not like it').
Meaning
Used to make a word or statement negative
Collocations
not really
|not yet
|not at all
|not only
|not even
Synonyms
no (Stronger and more direct; often used as a standalone answer.)
Antonyms
yes (Directly affirms or agrees with a statement, opposite of negation.)
Themes
grammar
|daily life
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Used to say that something is not true or does not happen.
Used to express the negation, denial, or contradiction of a statement, word, or phrase.
Grammar
Dictionary form
not
IPA
GB/nˈɑt/
US/nˈɑt/
Syllables & stress
not (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (not)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: not
- Plural: nots
Word family
Expressions
not at all
1/nˈɑt ˈæt ˈɔl/
fixed phrase
In no way or to no extent
Used to say 'no' in a strong way or to show that something is completely untrue.
Examples
- I'm not at all surprised by the news.
- The movie was not at all interesting.
not even
1/nˈɑt ˈivən/
fixed phrase
Emphasizes that something is true in no case, even extreme ones
Used to show that something does not happen or is not true, even in the most unlikely case.
Examples
- He didn’t call me, not even once.
- She can’t swim, not even a little.
not only... but also
1/nˈɑt ˈoʊnli | bˈʌt ˈɔlsoʊ/
fixed phrase
Emphasizes two related facts
Used to show that two things are true, especially when the first thing is surprising.
Examples
- She is not only a great teacher but also a talented writer.
- The trip was not only fun but also educational.
not yet
1/nˈɑt jˈɛt/
fixed phrase
Something has not happened so far
Used to say that something has not happened until now but will probably happen later.
Examples
- I haven’t finished my homework yet.
- She has not yet decided on a date.
not really
1/nˈɑt ɹˈɪli/
fixed phrase
Only slightly or not exactly true
Used to say something is only partly true or not true in a strong way.
Examples
- Do you like the food? Not really.
- Do you like horror movies? Not really.
- I’m not really sure what you mean.
- Is it finished? Not really, we still have some work left.