not

/nɔt/

Thân thiện

A child does not eat the broccoli on their plate.

Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Used to form a negative: "not" is used to make a verb, clause, or sentence negative. It expresses denial, refusal, or prohibition.
   • Used to give the opposite meaning: "not" can be used to indicate the opposite or absence of a quality or state.

Usage

• Position: "Not" typically follows an auxiliary verb (e.g., do, have, be, can, will) or a modal verb to form a negative.
  • He does not (doesn't) like coffee.
  • They are not (aren't) ready.
  • She cannot (can't) come.
• With other verbs: For verbs without an auxiliary, use "do not" (don't), "does not" (doesn't), or "did not" (didn't).
  • I do not (don't) understand.
  • It did not (didn't) happen.
• Contractions: "Not" is often contracted with the preceding auxiliary verb (e.g., isn't, haven't, won't, shouldn't).
• With other words: "Not" can be used before other words to negate them.
  • He is not happy.
  • That is not true.
  • Not everyone agrees.

Examples

• With auxiliary/modal verbs:
  • You should not (shouldn't) go there alone.
  • We have not (haven't) finished the report.
  • I will not (won't) tell anyone.
• Negating other elements:
  • She chose not red, but blue.
  • It's not a problem.
  • Not a single person was late.

Advanced Usage

• "Not" for emphasis or contrast: Often used in short replies or to correct a previous statement.
  • "Are you tired?" – "Not at all."
  • "I thought you liked jazz." – "Not really."
• "Not" in elliptical constructions: Used to avoid repeating a verb phrase.
  • "Can you help me?" – "I'm afraid not." (meaning: I'm afraid I cannot help you.)
  • He said he would come, but he did not.
• "Not" with "all", "every", "both": Creates a partial negative.
  • Not all birds can fly. (Some birds can fly, but not all of them.)
  • Not every student passed the exam.

Variants and Related Words

• No (determiner, adverb, exclamation): Used to give a negative answer or to mean "not any."
  • There is no milk. (determiner)
  • "Are you coming?" – "No." (exclamation)
• Non- (prefix): A prefix meaning "not" or "the opposite of."
  • nonsense, nonfiction, nonstop

Synonyms

• No: Used to express negation or refusal.
• Never: At no time; not ever.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Not have (something): To lack something.
  • I do not have any money.
• Not be (something): To not possess a quality or identity.
  • This is not my book.

Related Idioms

• Not at all: Used to emphasize a negative or as a polite response to thanks.
  • "Thank you for your help." – "Not at all."
• Not in the least: Not at all; not even a little.
  • I was not in the least surprised.
• Not to mention: Used to introduce an additional point that emphasizes the main point.
  • The hotel was beautiful, not to mention the excellent service.
• As likely as not: Probably.
  • As likely as not, it will rain tomorrow.
• Not that: Used to deny or downplay a possible reason or idea.
  • I'll help you, not that you need it.

Học thuật

Adverb

1. negation of a word or group of words
   • he does not speak French
   • she is not going
   • they are not friends
   • not many
   • not much
   • not at all

Từ đồng nghĩa

• non