(also, as suffix -n't) used to form negatives
(also, as suffix -n't) used usu with an auxiliary verb or be to form negatives
He will not budge
It isn't ready
Didn't they know?
used with verbal nouns and infinitives
Not passing the test would be a disappointment
He told us not to complain
used as substitute for a whole negative clause
whether we agree or not
‘Was it a mistake?’ ‘I hope not’
whether we agree or not
Have you finished? If not, why not?
used to negate other words
‘How is she?’ ‘Not well’
George III, not George II
less than (a surprisingly small amount)
not five minutes later
used to give force to an opposite meaning: compare no3
not a million miles away
not without reason
not a few of us
informal, humorous used after a statement to deny it emphatically
That's a great suggestion – not!
used before words representing a minimum unit to indicate a complete absence of something
not a word
not a crumb
definitely not
‘Is that silly?’ ‘Not at all’
used as a deprecatory response to thanks
dated or dialect nevertheless
Not but what he was wrong to do it
in particular
It was a shock to everyone, not least her parents
far from
not nearly complete
though it should not be inferred that
not that I approve
(also not so) not; not at all
not very nice
not so great