to not take vs not to take

Both are correct constructions in English, but they're used in different contexts. "Not to take" is the more common, natural structure, while "to not take" is less common but still grammatically correct. The choice between the phrases depends on the emphasis and the sentence style.

Explained by Miss E.
Editor at TextRanch

Last updated: February 22, 2025 • 5001 views

This construction is less common but still grammatically correct. It is used for emphasis or to create a specific style in writing.

"to not take"

This construction is used when you want to emphasize the negation of the action of taking. It can be used for stylistic purposes or to create a specific tone in writing.

Examples:

I decided to not take the job offer.
She chose to not take any risks.
He promised to not take any shortcuts.
It's important to not take things for granted.
The doctor advised him to not take the medication on an empty stomach.

Show examples from the web [+]

Sir, you can't expect us to not take precautions.
Didn't we agree to not take this?
Okay, this is getting a little hard to not take personally.
She's an excuse to not take chances.
The killer would have been frustrated to not take this.
Andrew, way to not take focus from Zach.
They allow the automotive industry to not take measures until at least 2019.They exempt undertakings affected by international competition from regulations on energy generation and much more besides.
I can't jam in a Palin SOT just to give myself the opportunity to not take a shot at her.
I thought we agreed to not take up people's time with meetings like these.
But try to not take too much time, I'm recording over some of my favorite karate movies.
For example, to not take advantage of the vulnerability of a recently-separated, but not-yet-divorced woman.
So, after a while, I decided to not take Journey's advice, and I did stop believin'.
You have to not take "no" for an answer, and take what's coming to you.
You cannot afford to not take that advantage, can you?
You cannot afford to not take that advantage, can you?
to not take anything from anyone. It's a lonely way to walk through this world.
The fourth new feature was that of the delegated acts, and here I must tell you very clearly, Mrs Malmström, that Parliament can take care of timetable arguments and procedural arguments very efficiently, and we promise to not take long to respond to delegated acts.
"... we humbly plead, Your Honor..."... to not take Russell completely out of our lives... "... forever."
Sometimes, I think the right thing to do is to not take shortcuts.
Nevertheless social pressure must be stepped up to a point where young people especially do not start smoking, and women to not take up smoking either.

Alternatives:

not to take
decided not to take
chose not to take
promised not to take
important not to take

This is the more common and natural construction in English. It is widely used in everyday language and writing.

"not to take"

This construction is the standard way to form a negative infinitive in English. It is used to express the negation of the action of taking.

Examples:

I decided not to take the job offer.
She chose not to take any risks.
He promised not to take any shortcuts.
It's important not to take things for granted.
The doctor advised him not to take the medication on an empty stomach.

Show examples from the web [+]

The High Lama told them not to take anyone.
Tell her not to take the plane to Vegas on Thursday.
Unfortunately, the Commission has chosen not to take further action against infringing Member States.
The urgency is to radically change banking system rules, not to take half measures to preserve them.
She made a choice not to take candy from a stranger.
You told me not to take anything.
As long as you promise not to take anything.
The GOC decided not to take up this offer for assistance further.
It is anti-liberal not to take health considerations into account in alcohol policy.
We should be careful not to take a one-sided position.
I appeal to the new administration not to take this support entirely for granted.
We believe that it would be extremely negligent not to take certain control mechanisms into consideration.
Some people think that because of his extreme unpopularity President Karzai would prefer the elections not to take place.
I can therefore only warn the Commission not to take these steps.
... but not to take home.
I beg you not to take this as a reproach.
You were right not to take it.
I begged him not to take this job.
Try not to take it personally.
She'd be crazy not to take this.

Alternatives:

to not take
decided to not take
chose to not take
promised to not take
important to not take

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to not take vs not to take

"to not take"

"not to take"

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