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 definition: (used to express negation, denial, refusal, or prohibition). See examples of not used 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 …

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

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 …

Jan 6, 2026 · 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 are …

(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 …

You use not when you are contrasting something that is true with something that is untrue. You use this especially to indicate that people might think that the untrue statement is true.

No is often used to indicate a straightforward denial, refusal, or the absence of something, whereas not is typically used to negate a verb, adjective, or another adverb, forming the …

The adverb not is used for negation. Do you like drinking cod liver oil? No, I do not like drinking cod liver oil.