Phrase · B1 · Neutral · useful for qualified disagreement
not necessarily
Used to say that something may be true, but is not certain or does not follow automatically.
ne mora da znači; nije nužno
Memory scene
Someone says expensive means better. You leave room for a cheaper product to be better: the conclusion is possible, not guaranteed.
How it sounds
naht nes-uh-SAIR-uh-lee
Stress SAIR in necessarily; emphasize not when challenging an assumption.
Build the sentence
Not necessarily. · not necessarily + adjective · does not necessarily + verb
Use it
‘If the room is quiet, everyone must agree.’ ‘Not necessarily.’
Challenges the inference without saying that everyone disagrees.
Working late does not necessarily mean you are getting more done.
Rejects an automatic link between hours and productivity.
Watch out
Not necessarily does not mean definitely not. It leaves both possibilities open. With an ordinary verb, use an auxiliary: It does not necessarily help, not It not necessarily helps.
Nearby language
Emphasizes exceptions across occasions; not necessarily also questions a single inference.
Strongly denies something rather than leaving its truth open.
Make it yours
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