Should you write “to not” or “not to”?
Both expressions are grammatically correct, but “not to” is generally the more traditional and preferred form in formal English. The best choice depends on the sentence, the meaning you want to emphasize, and how natural the wording sounds.
For example, “I decided not to go” is a common, natural construction, while “I decided to not go” is also acceptable in modern English.
The confusion comes from the placement of not in a negative infinitive.
An infinitive usually consists of to followed by the base form of a verb, as in to eat, to study, or to leave.
When you make an infinitive negative, you can place not before to or between to and the verb.
Although both patterns are used by fluent English speakers, they may create slightly different emphasis in some sentences.
This guide explains the difference between “to not” and “not to,” with clear grammar rules, practical examples, common mistakes, and answers to frequently asked questions.
Quick Answer: To Not or Not To?
Both “to not” and “not to” are correct in modern English. “Not to” is the traditional form and is often preferred in formal writing, as in “She decided not to attend.” “To not” is also acceptable and can emphasize the negative action, as in “She decided to not attend.” Choose the version that sounds clearest and most natural in context.
Why Do People Confuse “To Not” and “Not To”?
People confuse these expressions because English learners are often taught to place not before the infinitive marker to. However, modern English also allows not to appear between to and the verb.
Compare the following sentences:
- I promised not to tell anyone.
- I promised to not tell anyone.
Both sentences are grammatically acceptable. They express the same basic idea: the speaker promised to keep something secret.
The difference is mainly one of emphasis, rhythm, and style. In some contexts, “to not” places greater emphasis on the negative action. In other contexts, the two forms are virtually interchangeable.
You may also hear the term split infinitive. It refers to placing a word, often an adverb or not, between to and the verb. Although some older grammar advice discouraged split infinitives, they are widely accepted in contemporary English when they make a sentence clearer or more natural.
First Word: To Not
What Does “To Not” Mean?
“To not” is a negative infinitive construction in which not comes after to but before the main verb.
Structure:
Subject + verb + to + not + base verb
Examples:
- I want to not worry about small things.
- She chose to not participate.
- He promised to not reveal the secret.
In each example, not makes the action negative.
When Should You Use “To Not”?
Use “to not” when it sounds natural in the sentence or when you want to emphasize the negative action.
1. To emphasize a particular action
- I decided to not respond to the message.
- She chose to not accept the offer.
2. To maintain a natural rhythm
- The goal is to not waste time.
- I try to not interrupt people.
3. To make a contrast clear
- We agreed to help the team, but to not take over the entire project.
In this final example, the placement of not can help create a clear contrast between helping and taking control.
However, when the sentence becomes awkward or the negative meaning is unclear, rewriting it may be better than choosing either construction.
Second Word: Not To
What Does “Not To” Mean?
“Not to” is the traditional negative infinitive construction. In this pattern, not comes before to and the base form of the verb.
Structure:
Subject + verb + not + to + base verb
Examples:
- I decided not to go.
- He promised not to be late.
- They agreed not to share the information.
This construction is widely used in everyday English and formal writing.
When Should You Use “Not To”?
Use “not to” when you want a conventional, smooth, and concise negative infinitive.
1. In formal writing
- The committee decided not to proceed.
- Applicants are advised not to submit incomplete forms.
2. After verbs such as decide, promise, and agree
- She decided not to apply.
- He promised not to tell anyone.
- They agreed not to cancel the event.
3. In advice and instructions
- Remember not to touch the hot surface.
- Try not to make the same mistake again.
4. In negative responses
- I asked him not to leave.
- She told us not to worry.
For most English learners, “not to” is a reliable default choice. It is natural in both spoken and written English and works in a wide range of contexts.
To Not vs. Not To: Comparison Table
| Feature | To not | Not to |
|---|---|---|
| Grammar | Correct | Correct |
| Word order | To + not + verb | Not + to + verb |
| Traditional preference | Less traditional | More traditional |
| Formal writing | Acceptable when clear | Often preferred |
| Everyday conversation | Common | Common |
| Example | I chose to not participate. | I chose not to participate. |
When to Use Each Expression
When Should You Use “To Not”?
Choose “to not” when the placement of not creates a more natural rhythm or makes the negative action stand out.
Examples:
- She wants to not repeat the same mistake.
- The purpose is to not create unnecessary confusion.
- I decided to not get involved in the argument.
These sentences are grammatically acceptable. However, in many situations, the version with “not to” will sound more conventional.
When Should You Use “Not To”?
Choose “not to” when you want a straightforward, traditional construction.
Examples:
- She wants not to repeat the same mistake.
- The purpose is not to create unnecessary confusion.
- I decided not to get involved in the argument.
The first example is grammatical, but “She wants not to repeat the same mistake” may sound less natural to some speakers than “She wants to avoid repeating the same mistake.” This illustrates an important point: grammatical correctness does not always guarantee the most natural wording.
Is “Not To” Always Better?
No. “Not to” is a useful default, especially in formal writing, but “to not” is not automatically incorrect. Choose the form that produces the clearest, most natural sentence.
Sometimes, rewriting the sentence is the best option.
For example:
- Less natural: She wants not to make mistakes.
- More natural: She wants to avoid making mistakes.
Good writing is about communicating clearly, not simply following a fixed word-order rule.
12 Examples of “To Not” and “Not To” in Sentences
The following examples demonstrate both constructions and show how they are used in everyday English.
Examples With “Not To”
- I decided not to attend the meeting.
I made the decision to stay away. - She promised not to tell anyone.
She promised to keep the information private. - He asked me not to interrupt him.
He requested that I avoid interrupting. - Remember not to lock the door.
The instruction is to leave the door unlocked. - They agreed not to change the schedule.
They agreed to keep the schedule as it was. - We were told not to use our phones.
We received an instruction to avoid using them.
Examples With “To Not”
- I chose to not participate in the discussion.
I deliberately chose not to take part. - She wants to not depend on others.
She wants to avoid relying on other people. - The aim is to not waste resources.
The aim is to prevent unnecessary waste. - He decided to not respond immediately.
He chose against responding at once. - They tried to not make any noise.
They tried to remain quiet. - I learned to not take criticism personally.
I learned to avoid interpreting criticism as a personal attack.
In most of these examples, the alternative construction is also possible. The best choice depends on the sentence’s rhythm, emphasis, and context.
Common Mistakes With “To Not” and “Not To”
Mistake 1: Thinking “To Not” Is Always Incorrect
Incorrect assumption: You must never place not after to.
Correct understanding: Both “to not” and “not to” are accepted in modern English.
Example: “She decided to not attend” is grammatically acceptable, although “She decided not to attend” is more traditional.
Mistake 2: Using “Not” Without the Infinitive Marker
Incorrect: I decided not go.
Correct: I decided not to go.
When using the negative infinitive after decide, include to before the base verb.
Mistake 3: Adding “To” After a Modal Verb
Incorrect: I cannot to go.
Correct: I cannot go.
Modal verbs such as can, could, should, must, and will are generally followed by the base form of a verb without to.
For example:
- I should not go.
- You must not touch that.
- She cannot attend.
Mistake 4: Confusing “Not To” With “Do Not”
These constructions serve different grammatical functions.
- I decided not to go.
- I do not go there.
In the first sentence, not to go is a negative infinitive. In the second, do not go is a negative present-tense verb construction.
Mistake 5: Creating Awkward Sentences Just to Follow a Rule
A sentence may be grammatically correct but still sound unnatural.
Less natural: He wants not to be late.
More natural: He does not want to be late.
Both communicate a similar idea, but the second is often the more natural choice.
Memory Trick: How to Remember the Difference
Use this simple memory trick:
Not to = the traditional default.
To not = also correct when it sounds natural.
- I decided not to go.
- I decided to not go.
Both are correct.
If you are writing an essay, examination answer, or formal report and you are unsure, choose “not to.” It is a reliable, conventional option.
If “to not” makes your sentence clearer or gives it a more natural rhythm, you can use it instead.
American vs. British English: Is There a Difference?
There is no major grammatical difference between American and British English regarding “to not” and “not to.”
Both varieties accept split infinitives, including constructions with not, although individual writers may have different stylistic preferences.
| English variety | Example | Status |
|---|---|---|
| American English | She decided not to leave. | Correct |
| American English | She decided to not leave. | Correct |
| British English | She decided not to leave. | Correct |
| British English | She decided to not leave. | Correct |
For formal writing in either variety, “not to” is a conventional choice. However, you do not need to avoid “to not” simply because you have been told that split infinitives are always wrong.
Similar Words and Expressions
Several related grammar terms can help you understand negative infinitives more clearly.
1. Split Infinitive
A split infinitive occurs when a word appears between to and the base verb.
Example: She tried to carefully explain the problem.
Here, carefully separates to from explain. This construction is accepted when it sounds natural and communicates the intended meaning clearly.
2. Negative Infinitive
A negative infinitive is an infinitive made negative with not.
Examples:
- Not to worry.
- To not worry.
Both word orders are possible in appropriate contexts.
3. Do Not
“Do not” is used to make many present-tense statements negative or to give instructions.
Example: Do not open the door.
This is different from “not to open,” which commonly follows another verb.
4. Avoid
Avoid means to keep away from something or prevent it from happening. It is often a natural alternative to a negative infinitive.
Example: Try to avoid making mistakes.
This may sound smoother than “Try not to make mistakes” in some contexts, although both are natural.
5. Refrain From
Refrain from means to deliberately stop yourself from doing something.
Example: Please refrain from using your phone during the exam.
Notice that refrain from is followed by a noun or an -ing form, not an infinitive.
Final Verdict: To Not or Not To?
Both “to not” and “not to” are grammatically correct in modern English. “Not to” is the traditional and often preferred form in formal writing, while “to not” is an acceptable alternative that can work well for emphasis or natural sentence rhythm.
For example:
- Preferred traditional form: I decided not to go.
- Also correct: I decided to not go.
When in doubt, choose “not to.” If the alternative makes your sentence clearer or more natural, there is no general grammatical rule that requires you to reject it.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is it “to not” or “not to”?
Both are correct. “Not to” is the traditional form and is often preferred in formal writing. “To not” is also accepted in modern English and can be used when it sounds natural or gives the sentence the intended emphasis.
2. Is “to not” grammatically incorrect?
No. “To not” is a grammatically acceptable split infinitive construction. For example, “She decided to not participate” is correct, although “She decided not to participate” is more traditional.
3. Which is better in formal writing: “to not” or “not to”?
“Not to” is generally a safe and conventional choice in formal writing. However, “to not” is not inherently wrong. Choose the construction that communicates your meaning clearly and fits the style of the sentence.
4. What is a split infinitive?
A split infinitive occurs when a word is placed between to and the base form of a verb. For example, “to not go” and “to carefully explain” are split infinitives. They are accepted in modern English when they improve clarity or flow.
5. Can I say “I decided to not go”?
Yes. “I decided to not go” is grammatically acceptable. “I decided not to go” is the more traditional alternative, and both sentences express the same basic decision.
6. Is “not to” always more natural than “to not”?
No. “Not to” is often more conventional, but naturalness depends on the sentence. Sometimes another construction, such as “avoid doing something,” may communicate the idea more smoothly than either form.
7. Is there a difference between American and British English?
There is no major difference in the grammatical acceptability of these constructions. Both American and British English use “not to” and “to not,” although preferences may vary among individual writers and contexts.
8. What is the difference between “not to go” and “do not go”?
“Not to go” is a negative infinitive that commonly follows another verb, as in “I decided not to go.” “Do not go” is a negative command or present-tense construction, as in “Please do not go outside.”
Remember This
- Not to: Traditional, conventional, and often preferred in formal writing.
- To not: Also grammatically correct in modern English.
- Split infinitive: A word placed between to and the base verb.
- Best choice: Use the form that sounds natural and makes your meaning clear.
- When unsure: Choose “not to” as a reliable default.
The most important point is that “to not” is not automatically wrong. Both forms can be correct, and context determines which one works best.
Conclusion
The difference between “to not” and “not to” is mainly a matter of word order, emphasis, and style. Both forms are grammatically acceptable in modern English, although “not to” remains the more traditional choice and is often preferred in formal writing. Understanding this distinction will help you write more confidently and avoid treating a valid construction as a grammar mistake.
When choosing between the two, focus on clarity and naturalness rather than an absolute rule. If you are unsure, use “not to,” as in “I decided not to attend.” If “to not” creates a smoother sentence or gives the negative action the emphasis you want, you can use it confidently. With practice, you will learn to recognize which construction works best in different situations.
