Editing: When your "not" makes longer prose

"Not," it's such a tiny word, but one that can bulk writing and lead to hours of editing time.

So, what's so wrong with saying "not"? I do not like you. I do not love you. Sounds direct to me!

Yes, most sound direct. But some deceive the writer's eye and reader's ear. "I dislike you (3)" shaves two words from "I do not like you (5)." Writers must review each "not" construction and decide several things:

1/ Is there a shorter way to say it?
2/ Is the meaning the same if the writer shortens the wording?
3/ Does the phrase fit the tone and intent of the writing?


Most college and professional writing instructors caution to phrase negatives as positives. They believe writers appreciate positively stated prose, especially directions. "Do not write in pencil" becomes "Only use blue or black pen." Subtly, readers feel better to read what they CAN do, rather than what they cannot (should not) do.

Have you reviewed your text for "not"? If not (oops there it is), do it now. Highlight every NOT you used. First, change the contractions (yes, you need to do this).

am not
cannot (no, it is not "can not")
could not
do not
had not
have not
is not
will not
would not
not only...but also (if you use not only, you must use but also)

Here's an interesting and so convoluted way to construct a sentence: Attorney Michaels loved preparing for cases not yet tried before a jury (12). Hmm, cases not yet tried before a jury. On the surface, it sounds fairly sophisticated! With a close look, though, the construction shows its own stupidity! Attorney Michaels loved preparing for upcoming jury cases (8).

Indeed, many "not" phrases will have you rolling your eyes and laughing hard enough to at least spill that cup of coffee. Somehow, "not" paints us into corners in prose. Once we use "not," then we need supporting verbs and adverbs to hold it up, sometimes on both sides. He reacted calmly and did not feel. He reacted with unfeeling calmness.

Sometimes, writers just need to locate the opposite:

not consciously = unconsciously

Often, writers simply replace the "not" with generic descriptors before the verb, such as lacked, failed, never, and change the verb to an -ing ending.

did not understand =lacked understanding

Do you have a particularly convoluted "not" construction, or one that sounds extra silly or stupid? Add your "nots" to the comments section.