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not to vs to not

Both "not to" and "to not" are correct constructions in English, but they are used in different contexts. "Not to" is commonly used before an infinitive verb to express a negative purpose or intention, while "to not" is used when the negation applies directly to the verb. The choice between them depends on the emphasis you want to give to the negation.

Last updated: March 19, 2024 • 1039 views

not to

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is used before an infinitive verb to express a negative purpose or intention.

Use "not to" before an infinitive verb to indicate a negative purpose or intention. For example, "I told him not to call me late at night."

Examples:

  • She decided not to go to the party.
  • He asked her not to forget to bring the documents.
  • They promised not to reveal the secret.
  • I prefer not to eat spicy food.
  • It's important not to miss the deadline.
  • It was guaranteed not to shrink.
  • Nations with no seeding chose not to participate in Olympic qualifying.
  • In this version Michael McDonald tells Máire not to give up.
  • None can pretend not to need others.
  • Ellie tearfully begs Riley not to leave.
  • The Rapporteur therefore chose not to amend the proposed methodology.
  • We cannot allow universities not to recognise qualifications.
  • Those known not to contain pathogens.
  • What not to let your visitors marble.
  • Multitasking has been scientifically proven not to work.
  • The Thinker admonished His disciples not to fear Infinity.
  • He first decided not to teach contemporaneously with John.
  • But it is important not to erode responsibilities and not to put at risk effective implementation of Community programmes.
  • Such taxable persons are permitted not to submit tax return forms and not to pay the net amount of VAT, when their annual turnover in Austria is below 22000 euros.
  • 4.5 Valextra has the right not to accept or not to confirm orders from users having pending disputes or in case stated under paragraph 5.1.
  • Gave him a direct order not to.
  • Exactly, but not to worry.
  • We agreed not to tell anyone.
  • Brub especially asked me not to.
  • Tell Miriam not to worry about restocking tonight.

Alternatives:

  • to avoid
  • to prevent
  • to refrain from
  • to abstain from
  • to steer clear of

to not

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English. It is used when the negation applies directly to the verb.

Use "to not" when you want to place the negation directly before the verb. For example, "She decided to not go to the party."

Examples:

  • I chose to not participate in the competition.
  • He wanted to not disturb her while she was working.
  • They planned to not reveal their strategy until the last moment.
  • She tried to not think about the problem.
  • It's better to not rush into making a decision.

Alternatives:

  • not to
  • to avoid
  • to prevent
  • to refrain from
  • to abstain from

Related Comparisons

seem not to vs seem to not overlapped vs not overlapped neither to vs since a different convention is used neither to vs nor to calculate neither to vs nor constructing for a relatively very short vs neither to

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