What is not? Pronunciation and usage in English

not means . Learn how to pronounce and use not through vivid examples and easy-to-understand exercises.

Definition & pronunciation of not

notadverb

/nɒt/
Definition & pronunciation of not

Okay, let's break down how to pronounce "not" in English. It's a tricky one because it's a very common word people mispronounce!

Here's the breakdown:

The Correct Pronunciation (General American English):

  • "No" (as in, "no way") + "t"
  • So, it sounds like: /nɒt/

Let’s break that down further:

  • "No": This part is pronounced like the word "no". It’s a short, unstressed vowel sound. Think "o" as in "hot".
  • "t": The “t” is pronounced as a clear, hard “t” sound - like in “top” or “time”.

Putting it together: You blend the “no” and the “t” together so it flows into one syllable.

Tips & Common Mistakes:

  • Don't say "nawt": This is the most common mistake. The “aw” sound isn’t used in "not."
  • Don't add an extra "uh" sound: Avoid sounding like you're saying "no-uh."
  • Emphasis: The emphasis is on the first syllable ("no").

Regional Variations:

  • British English: In British English, "not" is often pronounced as /ˈnɒtɪ/. The "i" sound at the end is added. It's softer than the American pronunciation.

Resources for Hearing the Pronunciation:

  • Google Search: Search "how to pronounce not" on Google. YouTube will have lots of videos demonstrating the pronunciation.
  • Forvo: https://forvo.com/word/not/ - This website lets you hear native speakers pronounce the word in different accents.

To help me tailor the explanation even further, could you tell me:

  • Which accent are you most interested in learning (e.g., American, British)?

Usage and examples with the word not in English

Let's break down how to use "not" effectively in English. It's a surprisingly tricky word because it can change the meaning of a sentence drastically! Here's a breakdown of how it works, along with examples:

1. Negation (The Most Common Use)

  • Basic Negation: "Not" simply means "opposite" or "the absence of." It's used to state that something is false or doesn’t exist.

    • Example: "I am not happy." (Means: I am not feeling happy)
    • Example: “She doesn’t like coffee.” (Means: She does not enjoy coffee)
    • Example: “He isn’t going to the party.” (Means: He is not planning to go)

2. Before Adjectives (Changing Their Meaning)

  • Short Adjectives (One or Two Syllables): "Not" usually goes directly before the adjective. This reverses its meaning.

    • Example: "That is a good book." -> "That is not a good book." (Means: It's actually a bad book)
    • Example: "She is a beautiful woman." -> "She is not a beautiful woman." (Means: She is unattractive/ugly)
    • Example: "The weather is nice." -> "The weather is not nice." (Means: the weather is bad)

  • Longer Adjectives (More Than Two Syllables): "Not" usually goes after the adjective (with an apostrophe-s). This also reverses the meaning.

    • Example: "It's a careful driver." -> “It’s not a careful driver.” (Means: he’s an uncareful driver)
    • Example: "This is a complicated problem." -> “This is not a complicated problem.” (Means: the problem is simple)
    • Example: “That’s a wonderful experience.” -> "That’s not a wonderful experience.” (Means: it was a terrible experience)

3. Before Verbs (Expressing Lack of Action)

  • “Not” is used with verbs to express a lack of action or ability.

    • Example: “I don’t want to go.” (Means: I do not want to go)
    • Example: “She can’t swim.” (Means: She is unable to swim)
    • Example: "He doesn't understand.” (Means: He is not understanding)

4. With Auxiliary Verbs (Helping Verbs)

  • “Not” is frequently used with auxiliary verbs like “do,” “does,” “did,” “be,” “have,” and “can.”

    • Example: "I do not know." (Formal/Emphasis)
    • Example: "Do you not agree?" (More formal way of asking if someone disagrees)
    • Example: "She was not invited." (Past tense)
    • Example: “They haven’t finished.” (Present perfect tense)
    • Example: "Can you not be serious?" (Expressing disbelief)

5. Double Negatives (Generally Avoided – But Sometimes Acceptable)

  • While generally considered incorrect in standard English, double negatives can be found, especially in some dialects. However, it's best to avoid them.

    • Example (Generally Avoided): "I don't have no money." (Better: "I don't have any money.")

Key Points & Common Mistakes:

  • Contractions: “Not” is frequently contracted to “’nt” (e.g., “I’m not,” “He isn’t,” “They don’t”).
  • “Doesn’t” & “Isn’t”: Remember these are contractions of “does not” and “is not” respectively.
  • Placement with Adjectives: Getting the placement with longer adjectives is one of the trickiest parts. Practice makes perfect!

Resources for Further Learning:

To help me give you even more tailored advice, could you tell me:

  • Are you struggling with a particular aspect of using "not"? (e.g., placing it before adjectives, with contractions, etc.)
  • Do you want examples related to a specific context (e.g., formal writing, everyday conversation)?

Synonyms for the word not

Idioms of the word not

not a…
used for emphasis to mean ‘no thing or person’
  • He didn't speak to me—not one word.
not at all
used to politely accept thanks or to agree to something
  • ‘Thanks a lot.’ ‘Not at all.’
  • ‘Will it bother you if I smoke?’ ‘Not at all.’
not only… (but) (also)…
used to emphasize that something else is also true
  • She not only wrote the text but also selected the illustrations.
  • He not only read the book, but also remembered what he had read.
not that
used to state that you are not suggesting something
  • She hasn't written—not that she said she would.

Comment ()