not · adv
not at all
B2 used to say "no" or "not" strongly
Dictionary examples:
I'm not at all happy about it. (9.8)
"Was he a nuisance?" "No, not at all." (24.7)
not only
B2 used to say that more than one thing is true
Dictionary examples:
Not only was the hotel expensive, it was dirty too. (12.7)
You have let down not only yourself, but the entire team. (29.0)
not half as good/bad/exciting, etc.
B2 to be much less good/bad/exciting, etc. than something else
Dictionary examples:
Her new book's not half as good as the last one. (19.4)
not a/one
C1 used to emphasize that there is nothing of what you are talking about
Dictionary examples:
"You haven't heard from Nick, have you?" "Not a word." (9.2)
Not one person came to hear him talk. (20.3)
certainly/definitely not
C1 used to emphasize that something is not true or will not happen, or to say "no"
Dictionary examples:
"She's not exactly poor, is she?" "Certainly not." (10.3)
not least
C2 especially
Dictionary examples:
The whole trip was fascinating, not least because of the people I met. (50.6)
not in the least
C2 not at all
Dictionary examples:
I don't mind staying at home, not in the least. (35.1)
be nothing if not sth
C2 used to emphasize a quality
Dictionary examples:
The senator was nothing if not honest. (52.1)
not (AFTER BE/CAN, ETC.)
A1 used to form a negative phrase after verbs like "be," "can," "have," "'will," "must," etc., usually used in the short form "n't" in speech
Dictionary examples:
That's not my homework, it's art! (0.0)
I'm not sleeping, I'm thinking! (0.0)
This isn't my pet elephant! (0.0)
I can't go. (3.3)
Don't you like her? (4.8)
He's not bad-looking! (5.0)
I won't tell her. (5.0)
He's not fat! (5.1)
It isn't difficult. (7.0)
I'm just not interested. (9.6)
He's not as tall as his father. (15.9)
not (NEGATIVE WORD/S)
A1 used to give the next word or group of words a negative meaning
Dictionary examples:
I want pizza, not homework! (0.0)
I'm a student, not a teacher. (0.0)
It's Monday, not Friday. Sorry! (0.0)
"Come and play football, Dad." "Not now, Jamie." (6.1)
I told you not to do that. (6.9)
It was Yuko who said that, not Richard. (10.8)
I like most vegetables but not cabbage. (27.1)
not (AFTER HOPE/SUSPECT, ETC.)
A2 used after verbs like "be afraid," "hope," "suspect," etc. in short, negative replies
Dictionary examples:
"Is the test tomorrow?" "I'm afraid not. It's in five minutes!" (0.0)
"Did you finish your homework?" "I suspect not. My dog looks too happy." (0.0)
"Is the internet working?" "I'm afraid not. The cat unplugged everything again." (0.0)
"Have you finished?" "I'm afraid not." (10.1)
"Is he coming with us?" "I hope not." (14.9)
or not
A2 used to express the possibility that something might not happen
Dictionary examples:
To pretend I'm working or not? The boss is coming! (0.0)
Should I wear pants today or not? Working from home is confusing! (0.0)
To laugh at my own joke or not? Nobody else is laughing! (0.0)
Are you going to reply or not? (13.9)
I still don't know whether she's coming or not. (20.1)
if not
A2 used to say what the situation will be if something does not happen
Dictionary examples:
Please finish your homework. If not, your dog might eat it! (0.0)
Try to be on time. If not, the bus might leave without you! (0.0)
Try to wake up early. If not, you'll miss the free donuts! (0.0)
I hope to see you there but, if not, I'll call you. (18.1)
not bad
A2 satisfactory
Dictionary examples:
Your English is not bad! (0.0)
Your joke is not bad! (0.0)
Your drawing is not bad! (0.0)
That's not bad for such a small company. (15.4)
believe it or not
B1 used to say that something is true although it seems surprising
Dictionary examples:
Believe it or not, I once forgot to wear shoes to work! (0.0)
Believe it or not, my boss hired me because of my joke! (0.0)
Believe it or not, my cat learned to open the fridge! (0.0)
He even remembered my birthday, believe it or not. (14.5)
not (QUESTIONS)
B1 used to form questions when you think the answer will be "yes," using the short form "n't"
Dictionary examples:
You're not planning to wear that to the wedding, are you? (0.0)
That's not your third cup of coffee today, is it? (0.0)
You didn't forget to feed the fish again, did you? (0.0)
You like cheese, don't you? (7.6)
She's very pretty, isn't she? (17.5)
not at all
B1 used as a polite reply after someone has thanked you
Dictionary examples:
"Thanks for teaching my cat to bark." "Not at all, it was a purr-fect challenge!" (0.0)
"Thanks for carrying my elephant." "Not at all, it was light as a feather!" (0.0)
"Thanks for helping me catch that chicken." "Not at all, it was an egg-cellent adventure!" (0.0)
"Thanks for helping." "Not at all." (11.4)
not even
B1 used to emphasize the fact that something does not happen or is not true
Dictionary examples:
The test was so hard, not even the teacher could solve it! (0.0)
My dog ate my homework, not even leaving a single page! (0.0)
He can't cook at all, not even boil water! (0.0)
Nobody spoke, not even the children. (12.2)
"I never cry." "Not even when you hurt yourself really badly?" (15.1)
not to mention
B2 used to emphasize the importance of something that you are adding to a list
Dictionary examples:
The resort has great hotels and restaurants, not to mention some of the best skiing in the region. (45.1)
not quite
B2 almost but not completely
Dictionary examples:
I'm not quite sure if I understand this. (13.3)
The colors almost match but not quite. (27.5)
He didn't get quite enough votes to win. (27.7)
not sleep a wink
C2 to not have any sleep
Dictionary examples:
I was so excited last night - I didn't sleep a wink. (61.5)
not too
A2 used before adjectives and adverbs to mean "not very"
Dictionary examples:
My English is not too bad. (0.0)
The test was not too hard. (0.0)
My handwriting is not too good. (0.0)
"How was your exam?" "Not too bad, I suppose." (10.5)
I didn't play too well today. (15.5)
He wasn't too happy when I told him about the mistake. (23.4)