To not be vs not to be

Both "to not be" and "not to be" are correct constructions in English, but they are used in different contexts. "Not to be" is the more common and natural phrase, often used in negative imperatives or to express a choice or decision. On the other hand, "to not be" is less common and is typically used when the negation needs to be emphasized or when it is part of a longer sentence structure.

Last updated: April 05, 2024 • 139 views

To not be

This phrase is correct but less common in English. It is typically used when the negation needs to be emphasized or when it is part of a longer sentence structure.

The phrase "to not be" is used when the negation needs to be emphasized or when it is part of a longer sentence structure. For example, "I decided to not be a part of the project".

Examples:

I chose to not be involved in the argument.
She wanted to not be late for the meeting.
He decided to not be a burden on his family.
It is important to not be influenced by peer pressure.
The goal is to not be distracted during the exam.

Show examples from the web [+]

To not be the stupidest person in the world.
I need to not be here right now.
To not be what you were in the past.
To not be who we are?
His wife could learn to not be so mean.
'I finally knew what it felt like to not be hated.
"To not be considered" gambling "or" lucky "players must have knowledge and skill on how to dispute, as in blackjack, poker, biriba, pif-paf, lock, jockey and sports lottery,"said Oswald.
To not be disturbed at all, change your status on Skype from "Online" to "Do not Disturb". Skype will hide all the notification you may receive during your call, and your attention will be only for your interviewer.
I need to not be here right now.
MI6 is trained to not be readable.
I just need to not be here.
The best way to avoid contracting West Nile virus is to not be bitten by infected mosquitos.
Your letters help me to not be lonely.
Be careful to not be deceived.
Gamers shall have the right to not be treated as potential criminals by developers or publishers.
To not be a 17-year-old virgin.
To not be haunted by this 10 years from now.
To not be so stubborn or worried about appearing weak.
To not be able to find it the next day was devastating.
To not be chained by material possessions can be liberating.

Alternatives:

not to be
to avoid being
to refrain from being
to abstain from being
to steer clear of being

not to be

This phrase is a common and natural construction in English, often used in negative imperatives or to express a choice or decision.

The phrase "not to be" is commonly used in negative imperatives or to express a choice or decision. For example, "Not to be rude, but I disagree with your opinion."

Examples:

Not to be late, please arrive at 9 a.m.
She told him not to be afraid of the dark.
Not to be confused with the other product, this one is more durable.
He asked her not to be too harsh in her criticism.
Not to be forgotten, today is his birthday.

Show examples from the web [+]

Tell them you're not to be disturbed until you give further orders.
Try not to be so sensitive.
Kitty will be disappointed not to be a bridesmaid.
Trying not to be that person.
And tell him not to be late.
Try not to be too rough.
Do tell my husband not to be so disagreeable.
There's no reason not to be reasonable.
No reason not to be civil.
My mother raised me not to be anti-Japanese.
Programmes for improving safety ought not to be excluded.
The French proved not to be scrapped.
I think that my Guardian Angel decided not to be idle today.
I told them we had an informer, but that Private Santiago was not to be harmed.
In the case of Henri Young... this happens not to be true.
I gave orders that the lady was not to be harmed.
My wife seemed not to be as concerned as I was.
Like unnecessary attention drawn where it ought not to be.
I seem not to be ripe for death yet.
You realize this breaks our pact not to be alone together.

Alternatives:

to avoid being
to refrain from being
to abstain from being
to steer clear of being
to not be

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