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how not to vs how to not

Both "how not to" and "how to not" are correct and commonly used in English. They are interchangeable and can be used based on personal preference or to fit the flow of a sentence.

Last updated: March 25, 2024 • 2621 views

how not to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate the incorrect way of doing something or to give advice on what to avoid.

Examples:

She showed me how not to bake a cake.
He explained how not to invest in the stock market.
They demonstrated how not to solve the math problem.
The article outlined how not to approach a difficult conversation.
The video tutorial illustrated how not to style your hair.

Show examples from the web [+]

She's teaching Jeremy how not to kill me.
In this film, we hope to show you... how not to be seen.
Then let me show you how not to die.
Show them, and us, how not to give all the heart.
He just taught us how not to get caught next time.
I am teaching him how not to get hit.
Show them and us how not to give all the heart.
Figure out how not to repeat the same mistake twice.
You just have to learn how not to get caught.
They just learned how not to be so obvious.
Looks like someone knew how not to get their picture taken.
This was your suggestion for how not to create a burden.
Or taught him how not to get caught.
And they know exactly where the cameras are and how not to be seen if they follow somebody home.
I'm teaching Eve here how not to be a gator-huntin' hillbilly.
I just don't know how not to judge people.
And yes, Derek taught him the werewolf 101, like how not to randomly kill people during a full moon.
And I'm trying to advise you on how not to lose it.
All I've been thinking about for the last 24 hours is how not to let this happen again.
Now that you know how not to do it, let's try the other way.

Alternatives:

how to avoid
how to steer clear of
how to prevent
how to stay away from
how to refrain from

how to not

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to indicate the correct way of avoiding something or to give advice on what actions to take to prevent a negative outcome.

Examples:

She explained how to not burn the food.
He demonstrated how to not miss the deadline.
They discussed how to not overspend on the project.
The book teaches how to not make mistakes in grammar.
The training session covers how to not injure yourself during exercise.

Show examples from the web [+]

We shouldn't be learning how to not get caught.
I never learnt how to not go back in.
Just not quite sure how to not make it sound... ridiculous.
For more information on how to not get involved,
In the last few days, I've been learning how to not trust people and I'm glad I failed
I thought you were with Giles studying how to not kill people.
I don't know how to not fight.
You guys have to learn how to not break.
Artie has taught me how to not only be myself, but he's an inspiration to high school students everywhere.
Of course, I wouldn't know how to not drive into a tree if it wasn't for your assistance.
After all these years, I just... still haven't figured out how to not let your father get to me.
It's a way of life where you learn how to not only protect yourself but all innocent people.
You taught me how to stand my ground and how to not give an inch in a battle.
And I don't know how to not know any more.
I've been trying to figure how to not tell you this
- You want to know how to not feel old?
He showed them how to not be breaking their tailbones every third week.
If you were an educated child, you would know how to not only use the astrolabe, you would also know how to make an astrolabe.

Alternatives:

how to prevent
how to avoid
how to stay away from
how to refrain from
how to steer clear of

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