Not to vs. To not – Which is Correct?

The choice between “not to” and “to not” revolves around the placement of the adverb “not” relative to an infinitive verb (the “to + verb” form). While both are grammatically permissible in modern English, “not to” is traditionally preferred in formal writing and often sounds more natural. “To not” is an example of a split infinitive and is widely accepted, especially in casual contexts, for clarity or emphasis.

Not to or To Not – Which is Correct?

Both “not to” and “to not” are grammatically acceptable constructions in American English, but they represent different approaches to negating an infinitive. The distinction lies in whether the infinitive is “split” by the adverb “not.”

The construction “not to” places the negative adverb “not” before the entire infinitive phrase (“to + verb”). This is the traditional, unsplit infinitive form and is generally considered more formal and polished. For example, “I decided not to go.”

The construction “to not” places the negative adverb “not” between “to” and the verb, creating a split infinitive. While historically frowned upon by some prescriptive grammarians, split infinitives like “to not” are now widely accepted and frequently used in contemporary English, especially when they improve clarity or rhythm. For example, “I decided to not go.”

The Best Trick to Remember the Difference

To remember the preferred usage, think of it this way: “Formal First, Split Second.” If you want to maintain a formal tone, prioritize the “not to” (unsplit) construction. If you’re in a more casual setting or want to emphasize the negation of the verb directly, “to not” (split) is perfectly acceptable. When in doubt for important documents, default to “not to.”

Phrase	Grammatical Role	Meaning/Nuance	Example
Not to	Unsplit Infinitive Negation	Traditionally preferred, more formal. Negates the entire action.	She chose not to participate in the debate.
To not	Split Infinitive Negation	Accepted in modern English, can add emphasis or clarity.	He tried to not make a sound as he crept past.

How to Use Not to

The construction “not to” is the classic way to negate an infinitive. It places the adverb “not” before the “to + verb” structure. This form is widely accepted in all registers of English, from casual conversation to highly formal academic or legal writing. It is often perceived as smoother and more grammatically “correct” by traditionalists.

Example 1: They decided not to proceed with the controversial plan.

Example 2: It is important not to forget your credentials when logging in.

Example 3: I advised her not to worry about trivial matters.

Etymology of the phrase Not to

The structure of “not to” reflects the traditional placement of adverbs, which typically precede the verb or verb phrase they modify. In Old and Middle English, infinitives often appeared without “to” or with “for to,” and negation typically involved placing “not” before the verb. As the “to + verb” infinitive became standard, the tendency to keep “not” external to this construction persisted, solidifying “not to” as the conventional form.

How to Use To not

The construction “to not” involves splitting the infinitive “to + verb” with the adverb “not.” While once considered a grammatical error by some prescriptive grammarians, the split infinitive is now largely accepted and common in contemporary English. It can sometimes offer a slight shift in emphasis, directly negating the action of the verb rather than the decision or intention leading to it. It often sounds more natural in certain phrasings.

Example 1: He struggled to not laugh during the serious meeting.

Example 2: The goal is to not disappoint our loyal customers.

Example 3: She learned to not take criticism too personally.

Etymology of the phrase To not

The split infinitive, including “to not,” began to emerge more frequently in English from the 14th century, gaining considerable traction in the 19th and 20th centuries. The resistance to it by some grammarians was often based on a perceived analogy with Latin, where infinitives are single words and thus cannot be split. However, English grammar operates differently. The increasing use of “to not” reflects a natural evolution of the language, allowing for flexibility and sometimes clearer emphasis by placing the adverb directly before the main verb.

Related Concepts

Understanding a broader grammar concept often helps clarify specific usage questions like “not to” vs. “to not.”

• Infinitives: An infinitive is the base form of a verb, usually preceded by “to” (e.g., “to run,” “to eat,” “to be”). It functions as a noun, adjective, or adverb in a sentence. The debate around “not to” vs. “to not” centers entirely on how to negate this verb form.
• Split Infinitives: A split infinitive occurs when an adverb or adverbial phrase is placed between “to” and the verb (e.g., “to boldly go,” “to easily understand”). While once considered poor style, modern grammar largely accepts split infinitives, especially when they improve clarity, emphasis, or natural flow. “To not” is a common example of a split infinitive.

Examples from Media and Literature

• “The secret of happiness is not to seek more, but to enjoy less.” – Socrates (often quoted, demonstrates traditional usage)
• “I decided not to watch the news tonight; it’s too depressing.” – Common contemporary usage in a news article (June 2026)
• “His mission was to not fail, no matter the cost.” – From a recent spy thriller novel, demonstrating acceptable split infinitive for emphasis.
• “The hardest part was to not react to her provocations.” – From a popular podcast transcript (June 2026)
• “We were told not to touch anything in the exhibit.” – A museum sign.

Practice Exercises

Choose the correct or most appropriate word to complete the sentence.

1. She promised ____ tell anyone about the secret. (not to / to not)
2. It’s best ____ interrupt when someone else is speaking. (not to / to not)
3. He tried his best ____ make eye contact with his ex-girlfriend. (not to / to not)
4. The primary goal is ____ cause any further damage. (not to / to not)
5. They urged us ____ lose hope, even in difficult times. (not to / to not)

Answer Key

1. not to (more traditionally formal)
2. not to (generally preferred for advice)
3. to not (can emphasize the direct negation of “make eye contact”)
4. not to (often sounds more formal for a stated goal)
5. not to (standard, natural phrasing)

Frequently Asked Questions

Question 1: Is “to not” always acceptable?
While widely accepted in modern English, “to not” (the split infinitive) might still be avoided by some very conservative grammarians or in extremely formal contexts. However, for most communication, it is perfectly fine, especially when it improves clarity or rhythm.

Question 2: Does “not to” mean something different from “to not”?
Fundamentally, both constructions convey the same negation of the infinitive. Any perceived difference is usually a subtle nuance in emphasis or formality rather than a change in core meaning. “To not” can sometimes place a stronger emphasis on the direct negation of the verb itself.

Question 3: When should I specifically use “to not” over “not to”?
You might choose “to not” when placing “not” directly before the verb makes the sentence clearer, more emphatic, or simply flows better. For instance, “He managed to not completely fail the exam” might sound more natural than “He managed not to completely fail the exam” if the emphasis is on the partial success despite not completely failing.

Conclusion

In the ongoing discussion of “to not” versus “not to,” the key takeaway for June 2026 is that both forms are grammatically acceptable in contemporary American English. “Not to” represents the traditional, unsplit infinitive and remains the preferred choice for formal writing and those who favor classical elegance. “To not,” a split infinitive, has gained widespread acceptance and is often used for emphasis or when it simply sounds more natural. Understanding the nuance allows you to make an informed choice based on context, desired tone, and emphasis.

Pro Tip: When writing for a professional or academic audience, defaulting to “not to” is a safe bet to avoid any potential, albeit outdated, criticism. In more casual or creative writing, feel free to use “to not” where it enhances your meaning or flow.