not
A word used to make a verb, adjective, or sentence negative.
Definitions
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1
Used with an auxiliary or modal verb to negate an action or state.
“She does not want to eat the cold soup tonight.”
She does not want to eat the cold soup tonight.
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2
Used to negate an adjective or noun phrase.
“The answer to the question is not correct.”
The answer to the question is not correct.
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3
Used in short responses to express a negative reply.
“The teacher asked if everyone was ready, and some students said not yet.”
The teacher asked if everyone was ready, and some students said not yet.
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4
Used before a whole clause or phrase to negate it (e.g. 'not only … but also').
“He is not only a good singer but also a talented dancer.”
He is not only a good singer but also a talented dancer.
"Not" is commonly contracted with auxiliary verbs: "do not" → "don't", "is not" → "isn't", "cannot" → "can't". The contracted forms are more common in everyday speech and informal writing.