The meaning of NOT is —used as a function word to make negative a group of words or a word. How to use not in a sentence.

Not is one of the most common words we use to indicate negation. It is often shortened to n’t and joined to an auxiliary verb or modal verb: … Not in negative statements (She hasn’t …, I did …

In conversation, when not is used after be, have, do, or a modal, it is not usually pronounced in full. When you write down what someone says, you usually represent not as n't and add it to …

(used with verbs like[be, have,]and[do,]and with modal verbs, to express the opposite of the main verb, and also to express denial, refusal, prohibiting, etc.: I do not remember the answer. You …

Dec 14, 2025 · In this case not cannot appear after the verb; some authorities recommend placing it before to to avoid a split infinitive, but for most speakers the forms not to do and to not do …

Not, the general declarative form of "no", indicating a negation of a related statement that usually precedes ... Not!, a grammatical construction used as a contradiction, popularized in the early …

Not definition: In no way; to no degree. Used to express negation, denial, refusal, or prohibition.

You use not, usually in the form n't, in questions which imply that someone should have done something, or to express surprise that something is not the case. Why didn't you do it months …

NOT meaning: 1 : used to form the negative of modal verbs (such as “should” and “could”) and auxiliary verbs (such as “do” and “have”); 2 : used before a verb or clause to make it negative …

Definition of not adverb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.