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might not have been vs might have been not

Both "might not have been" and "might have been not" are correct, but they are used in different contexts. "Might not have been" is the more common and natural construction in English, while "might have been not" is less common and may sound awkward to native speakers.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 1173 views

might not have been

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to express uncertainty about something that did not happen in the past.

Examples:

  • He might not have been at home when you called.
  • She might not have been aware of the changes.
  • They might not have been informed about the meeting.
  • It might not have been the best decision.
  • The package might not have been delivered yet.
  • It might not have been whoever attacked you.
  • But the message might not have been meant for you, Reid.
  • It might not have been pretty, but it got the job done.
  • Your father, Mr Radulovitz, might not have been the best of fathers, but if I...
  • You know, in retrospect, he might not have been our best emissary.
  • Wait, you guys, Dad might not have been vaccinated.
  • The accessing might not have been totally legal.
  • That our Khan might not have been fairly elected.
  • The snap-in might not have been installed correctly.
  • So, Dr. Sutton might not have been such a hack after all.
  • And being in a relationship with Joyce might not have been a good thing for Norah.
  • Her body might not have been kept as close as you might think.
  • He might not have been paid yet.
  • There might not have been eight people to feed.
  • He might not have been tested thoroughly enough.
  • It might not have been the lights.
  • I might not have been very nice to you.
  • I might not have been as happy as an expectant father should be.
  • So your dad might not have been around.
  • It might not have been the Taliban.

Alternatives:

  • may not have been
  • could not have been
  • would not have been

might have been not

This phrase is correct but less common in English.

This phrase can be used for emphasis or to create a specific stylistic effect, but it may sound awkward to native speakers.
  • A better strategy might have been not to respond at all.
  • The memo might or might not have been given to Tom.
  • Not now, maybe, but at school you might have been and not known it.
  • Spleen injury might have been fatal if not immediately treated.
  • He might have not been around much because he was afraid.
  • Was it possible that his death might have been... not accidental?
  • Although it might have been erroneous not to have applied the Impaired Assets Communication at that point in time, there is no legitimate expectation by Germany that such an approach would continue.
  • The hit man might or might not have been hired by Earl.
  • Mrs. Alice Grange lives in that other flat up there so she was woken by a commotion at 4:00am which might or might not have been gunshots.
  • Right, so she might have not been beaten to death after all.
  • Belmont and Veraldi might have been political, not Laffite.
  • He might not have been paid yet.
  • There might not have been eight people to feed.
  • He might not have been tested thoroughly enough.
  • It might not have been the lights.
  • I might not have been very nice to you.
  • I might not have been as happy as an expectant father should be.
  • It might not have been whoever attacked you.
  • So your dad might not have been around.
  • Might not have been Kane's play.

Alternatives:

  • might have not been
  • could have been not
  • would have been not

Related Comparisons

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