not

not — adverb

1. used with auxiliary or linking verbs to change a statement into its opposite, de

1.副詞A1
釋義

used with auxiliary or linking verbs to change a statement into its opposite, denying that something is true, happens, or was done.

例句

The public library does not open on Sundays or public holidays.

auxiliary 'does' + not for present simple denial

Mira cannot come to the party because she is sick.

cannot = can + not expressing inability

文法句型

auxiliary verb + not + main verb

auxiliary verb + n't + main verb

用法筆記

In spoken English, 'not' is almost always contracted to 'n't' attached to the auxiliary verb (isn't, don't, won't, can't, haven't). One exception: the contraction 'amn't' is not standard in most varieties of English; use 'aren't' with 'I' in questions ('aren't I?').

常見錯誤

❌I not like coffee.
✅I do not like coffee.
💡In English, you need an auxiliary verb (do/does/did) before 'not' to negate most main verbs.
❌He not went to school.
✅He did not go to school.
💡Use auxiliary 'did' + 'not' + base form of the verb.
❌I amn't ready.
✅I am not ready.' or 'I'm not ready.
💡'amn't' is not standard; use 'I'm not' or 'aren't I?' for questions.

2. placed directly before a specific expression to deny or exclude just that piece

2.副詞A1
釋義

placed directly before a specific expression to deny or exclude just that piece of a sentence, instead of turning the entire statement negative.

例句

Not everyone in the class passed the test.

not + everyone — partial negation

The book was good, but not the best I have read.

同義詞
  • no

    used before a noun to mean 'not any' or 'not a' (no money vs. not any money)

文法句型

not + noun phrase

not + adjective

not + adverb

not + all / every / many / necessarily

用法筆記

When placed before 'all', 'every', 'both', or 'always', the negation is partial — the statement denies the universal claim but does not mean 'none'. 'Not all birds can fly' means some can and some cannot.

常見錯誤

❌Not any student passed.
✅No student passed.
💡Use 'no + noun' for 'not any' when the meaning is zero, especially in formal writing.
❌I have not money.
✅I do not have any money.' or 'I have no money.
💡'not' cannot directly negate a noun without a determiner; use 'not any' or 'no'.

3. follows verbs such as 'hope', 'think', or 'be afraid' when a speaker gives a bri

3.副詞A2
釋義

follows verbs such as 'hope', 'think', or 'be afraid' when a speaker gives a brief negative response without restating the whole idea.

例句

"Will it rain tomorrow?" "I hope not. We have a picnic planned."

I hope not — typical short reply

"Is Niran coming to the meeting?" "I am afraid not. He called to cancel."

I'm afraid not — polite negative reply

反義詞
  • so

    used similarly in short affirmative replies: 'I think so', 'I hope so'

文法句型

I hope not

I'm afraid not

I think not

I guess not

I suppose not

用法筆記

'I hope not' and 'I'm afraid not' are common in everyday speech. 'I think not' and 'I believe not' are more formal. A bare 'Not' alone as a complete response is possible but sounds very clipped.

常見錯誤

❌I hope no.
✅I hope not.
💡The short negative reply uses 'not', not 'no'.
❌I am afraid no.
✅I am afraid not.
💡'not' is the correct word in this pattern.

4. used to describe a situation or consequence that occurs when something else does

4.副詞A2
釋義

used to describe a situation or consequence that occurs when something else does not happen or is not true.

例句

If you do not water the plants, they will die.

if + do not + verb → consequence

Call the doctor if the fever does not go down by tomorrow.

文法句型

if + subject + do/does/did + not + verb

if not (short form)

用法筆記

Commonly appears in conditional structures with 'if'. The subject can be omitted after 'if not' when the meaning is clear from context ('if ready' = 'if you are ready').

常見錯誤

❌If it will not rain, we go out.
✅If it does not rain, we will go out.
💡After 'if', use the present simple (not 'will') to refer to the future.

5. used to emphasise that the actual situation is even more extreme — greater, long

5.副詞B1
釋義

used to emphasise that the actual situation is even more extreme — greater, longer, more difficult, etc. — than the idea that was just mentioned.

例句

The movie was not just good; it was the best I have seen all year.

not just... but even stronger — intensifying pattern

Lara did not finish the race on time; she broke the school record.

文法句型

not only... but also...

not just... but...

not... but rather...

not merely... but even...

用法筆記

This sense always pairs with a following clause that gives the stronger or more surprising fact. The structure is often 'not only... but also...' or 'not just... but...'. In 'not only' sentences, the auxiliary verb and subject can be inverted ('Not only did she finish, she won').

常見錯誤

❌Not only he passed the test, but also he got an A.
✅Not only did he pass the test, but he also got an A.
💡When 'not only' starts a sentence, invert the subject and auxiliary verb.

6. used with words like 'might', 'may', or 'perhaps' to show that something is poss

6.副詞A2
釋義

used with words like 'might', 'may', or 'perhaps' to show that something is possibly, but not certainly, not going to happen or be true.

例句

The bus might not come because of the heavy snow.

might not — possibility of non-occurrence

Christopher may not know about the change in plans yet.

反義詞
  • maybe

    affirmative counterpart in expressions of possibility: 'maybe he will' vs. 'maybe he won't'

文法句型

might not

may not

could not

maybe... not

用法筆記

Distinguish from sense 1 (BASIC NEGATION): sense 1 states a definite denial ('He is not here'), while sense 6 suggests uncertainty ('He might not be here'). The difference is in the modal verb that accompanies 'not'.

常見錯誤

❌He might not comes.
✅He might not come.
💡After 'might', use the base form of the verb, even with 'not'.

7. appended to a spoken remark to indicate the speaker was only joking and does not

7.副詞B2
釋義

appended to a spoken remark to indicate the speaker was only joking and does not truly mean it.

例句

Roya told everyone she absolutely loves washing dishes. Not!

colloquial retraction marker — informal only

That was a really brilliant idea you just had. Not!

同義詞
  • just kidding

    fuller and less ambiguous way to retract a statement

文法句型

statement + , not!

statement + ... not!

用法筆記

This usage is very informal and primarily used in casual conversation or text messages among friends. It became popular through 1990s American youth culture ('Wayne's World' style). Do not use in formal writing.

常見錯誤

❌ Using this in formal or academic writing — it is strictly informal and may confuse non-native speakers unfamiliar with this joke pattern.

not — noun