not

Everyday

1. Not makes a sentence say no, or the opposite: It is not cold. tree →
2. Not can go before a word to say «no» to just that word: not quite, not me, not yet. tree →
3. «Not … any» means none at all. tree →
4. «Not only … but also» adds a second, bigger point. tree →
5. (casual) «Not!» said after a sentence (joking, US) takes it back: «I love homework — not!»; «not bad» often means quite good; «not even» means it is not at all true. tree →
6. (rough) «Not a chance», «not on your life», «not bloody likely» (UK) are blunt refusals. tree →
7. (formal) The exam voice says «by no means», «in no case», «under no circumstances», «it is not the case that», «fails to», «other than». tree →

In the lessons

«not quite» marks a wrong answer; «does not mean» warns about a cue («Here the word «more» does not mean adding»); «did not eat any» means nothing changed; in everyday life «not yet», «not at all», «why not?», «not bad»; in safety «Do not touch», «under no circumstances»; in casual talk «not even», joking «— not!»; in rough talk «not a chance»; in the exam voice «Which of the following is NOT …», «it is not the case that»

Examples

• Not quite: 2. tree →
• Here the word «more» does not mean adding … tree →
• Tom did not eat any of the 6 cakes. tree →
• I am not sleepy. tree →
• It's not fair! tree →
• Do not run near the pool. tree →
• «Can I have a cookie?» «Not now.» tree →
• The bus has not come yet. tree →
• That is not my bag. tree →
• «Will you share?» «Not a chance.» tree →
• «How was the test?» «Not bad, got 18.» tree →
• Which of the following statements is not consistent with the established facts concerning the boiling of water? tree →
• One swallow does not make summer. tree →

Note

«does not mean adding» warns that a usual cue does not work here. Trap: «did not eat any» means nothing changed. In an exam «Which of the following is NOT …» asks for the one wrong statement; read the «not» before choosing. A joking «— not!» at the end flips the whole sentence. Short forms: isn't, aren't, don't, doesn't, didn't, can't, won't. Do not mix «not» with «knot» (a tie in a rope): they sound the same.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Much of the Torah's law is "thou shalt not," which tradition counts as prohibitions. In the primary lessons: «not quite» marks a wrong answer; «does not mean» warns about a cue («Here the word «more» does not mean adding»); «did not eat any» means nothing changed; in everyday life «not yet», «not at all», «why not?», «not bad»; in safety «Do not touch», «under no circumstances»; in casual talk «not even», joking «— not!»; in rough talk «not a chance»; in the exam voice «Which of the following is NOT …», «it is not the case that»

Examples

• It shall not be baked with leaven. (Torah LEV.6.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• Notwithstanding the sons of Korah died not. (Torah NUM.26.11, JPS 1917) tree →
• Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing. (Torah DEU.14.3, JPS 1917) tree →
• So his strength was not known. (Prophets JDG.16.9, JPS 1917) tree →
• Is it not wheat harvest to-day? (Prophets 1SA.12.17, JPS 1917) tree →
• But he told not his father. (Prophets 1SA.14.1, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

«does not mean adding» warns that a usual cue does not work here. Trap: «did not eat any» means nothing changed. In an exam «Which of the following is NOT …» asks for the one wrong statement; read the «not» before choosing. A joking «— not!» at the end flips the whole sentence. Short forms: isn't, aren't, don't, doesn't, didn't, can't, won't. Do not mix «not» with «knot» (a tie in a rope): they sound the same.