not be
/nɑːt biː/verb phrase★Intermediate
general
to not exist or to not have a particular quality
The answer is not be to give up.
The answer is not to give up.
The problem is not be to fix the code.
The problem is not to fix the code.
💡
This phrase is often used in negative constructions to emphasize what something is not.
Collocations
not be the caseto not be truenot be the answerto not be the solution
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
not be the casephrase
to not be true
not be the answerphrase
to not be the solution
💡Pro Tip
Common Usage
This phrase is often used to correct misunderstandings or to clarify what something is not.
⚡Gold Rule
Grammar Rule
This phrase is typically followed by an infinitive verb to indicate what should not be done.
📖Word Origin
Derived from the combination of the negative 'not' and the verb 'be' in English.
📝Usage Notes
This phrase is commonly used in negative constructions to clarify what something is not. It is often followed by an infinitive verb to indicate what should not be done.
Word Breakdown
not
negative
prefixbe
to exist or have a quality
verbEnglish Dictionary