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How to pronounce not
Say it like this: /nɑt/. Listen to real recordings below and compare how it sounds in different accents.
What does not mean?
advNegates the meaning of the modified verb.
“Not knowing any better, I went ahead.”
To no degree.
“It's not you, it's me.”
Used to indicate the opposite or near opposite, often in a form of understatement.
“After not a few threats, they got what they’d been after for so long.”
conjAnd not.
“I wanted a plate of shrimp, not a bucket of chicken.”
intjUsed to indicate that the previous phrase was meant sarcastically or ironically.
“Sure, you’re perfect the way you are … not!”
nounAn instance of using the word "not"; a negation or denial.
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Pronunciations and meanings from Wiktionary via kaikki.org, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Recordings by Wikimedia Commons contributors. This page is shared under the same license.