English Profile

not · adverb

/nɑt/Full view

not (AFTER BE/CAN, ETC.)

A1 used to form a negative phrase after verbs like "be," "can," "have," "'will," "must," etc., usually used in the short form "n't" in speech

Dictionary examples:

He's not fat!

I won't tell her.

I can't go.

Don't you like her?

It isn't difficult.

I'm just not interested.

He's not bad-looking!

He's not as tall as his father.

Learner example:

It's not a problem for me. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; French)

not (NEGATIVE WORD/S)

A1 used to give the next word or group of words a negative meaning

Dictionary examples:

I told you not to do that.

I like most vegetables but not cabbage.

"Come and play football, Dad." "Not now, Jamie."

It was Yuko who said that, not Richard.

Learner example:

You know I go to college [but] not every day. (Skills for Life (Entry 1); A1; Cantonese)

not (AFTER HOPE/SUSPECT, ETC.)

A2 used after verbs like "be afraid," "hope," "suspect," etc. in short, negative replies

Dictionary examples:

"Is he coming with us?" "I hope not."

"Have you finished?" "I'm afraid not."

not (QUESTIONS)

B1 used to form questions when you think the answer will be "yes," using the short form "n't"

Dictionary examples:

She's very pretty, isn't she?

You like cheese, don't you?

Learner example:

I know that you love horror movies, don't you? (Preliminary English Test; B1; Portuguese)

or not

A2 used to express the possibility that something might not happen

Dictionary examples:

Are you going to reply or not?

I still don't know whether she's coming or not.

Learner example:

Are [you] busy or not that day? (Key English Test; A2; Singhalese)

if not

A2 used to say what the situation will be if something does not happen

Dictionary example:

I hope to see you there but, if not, I'll call you.

Learner example:

I'm going to paint my bedroom with the pink paint. Remember to put on your old cloth[e]s. If not, your clothes will become pinky and you can't use them anymore. (Key English Test; A2; Farsi)

not too

A2 used before adjectives and adverbs to mean "not very"

Dictionary examples:

"How was your exam?" "Not too bad, I suppose."

I didn't play too well today.

He wasn't too happy when I told him about the mistake.

Learner example:

How are you? [I'm] not too bad. (Key English Test; A2; French)

not at all

B2 used to say "no" or "not" strongly

Dictionary examples:

"Was he a nuisance?" "No, not at all."

I'm not at all happy about it.

Learner example:

I sen[s]ed that invisible hand was touching my shoulder, but it didn't scare me, not at all. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

not at all

B1 used as a polite reply after someone has thanked you

Dictionary example:

"Thanks for helping." "Not at all."

Learner example:

["]Thank you.["] ["]Not at all[."] (Key English Test; A2; Spanish)

believe it or not

B1 used to say that something is true although it seems surprising

Dictionary example:

He even remembered my birthday, believe it or not.

Learner example:

First I visited the "Roman Bath'' which is more than 2000 years old and, believe it or not, it still works! (Preliminary English Test; B1; German)

not only

B2 used to say that more than one thing is true

Dictionary examples:

Not only was the hotel expensive, it was dirty too.

You have let down not only yourself, but the entire team.

Learner example:

In this show, not only can we see [the] latest fashions, sportswear, make-up and hairstyles, but we can [also] enter for free. (First Certificate in English; B2; Japanese)

not bad

A2 satisfactory

Dictionary example:

That's not bad for such a small company.

Learner example:

The presents are not bad. (Key English Test; A2; Thai)

not half as good/bad/exciting, etc.

B2 to be much less good/bad/exciting, etc. than something else

Dictionary example:

Her new book's not half as good as the last one.

Learner example:

Probably they wouldn't be half as famous as they are without press photographers, journalist[s], etc. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

not to mention

B2 used to emphasize the importance of something that you are adding to a list

Dictionary example:

The resort has great hotels and restaurants, not to mention some of the best skiing in the region.

Learner example:

She got a kitten, she hated cats[,] not to mention the fact that she was allergic to them. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

not quite

B2 almost but not completely

Dictionary examples:

I'm not quite sure if I understand this.

The colors almost match but not quite.

He didn't get quite enough votes to win.

Learner example:

The student cafe has a welcoming atmosphere and most people said it was nice to sit and to drink coffee [there]. [T]he only problem is that there are not quite enough tables and chairs for everyone at busy times. (First Certificate in English; B2; Russian)

not even

B1 used to emphasize the fact that something does not happen or is not true

Dictionary examples:

"I never cry." "Not even when you hurt yourself really badly?"

Nobody spoke, not even the children.

Learner example:

We tried to fish, but didn't catch a thing, not even a shoe! (Preliminary English Test; B1; Spanish)

not a/one

C1 used to emphasize that there is nothing of what you are talking about

Dictionary examples:

Not one person came to hear him talk.

"You haven't heard from Nick, have you?" "Not a word."

Learner example:

Nowadays, I can only see buildings and roads. Not one single tree to refresh yourself from the hot and tropical sun at midday. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Portuguese)

certainly/definitely not

C1 used to emphasize that something is not true or will not happen, or to say "no"

Dictionary example:

"She's not exactly poor, is she?" "Certainly not."

Learner example:

That's nice, but do you think that money is all that matters? Definitely not! (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Bulgarian)

not least

C2 especially

Dictionary example:

The whole trip was fascinating, not least because of the people I met.

Learner example:

We are all human beings but we are all different, not least because of a different cultural background. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)

not in the least

C2 not at all

Dictionary example:

I don't mind staying at home, not in the least.

Learner example:

Educating two children was not so easy a task, not in the least! (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Farsi)

be nothing if not sth

C2 used to emphasize a quality

Dictionary example:

The senator was nothing if not honest.

Learner example:

Well, I might be a bit bias[ed] but really, he is nothing if not extr[a]ordinary. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Japanese)

not sleep a wink

C2 to not have any sleep

Dictionary example:

I was so excited last night - I didn't sleep a wink.

Learner example:

Nevertheless, due to the fact that I hadn't slept a wink the previous night, I began to fall asleep. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Catalan)