Non vs. Not

Attribute	Non	Not
Prefix	Added before a word to negate its meaning	Used before adjectives, adverbs, and verbs to negate their meaning
Usage	Commonly used in words like nonstop, nonfiction	Used in phrases like not happy, not true
Formation	Added as a prefix to a word	Used as a standalone word before another word

Definition

Non and not are both negative prefixes used in the English language to negate the meaning of a word. Non is used to indicate the absence of a particular quality or attribute, while not is used to negate the verb in a sentence. Non is typically used before a noun or adjective, while not is used before a verb.

Usage

Non is commonly used to create words that describe something that does not have a particular quality. For example, nonfiction refers to literature that is based on facts rather than imagination. Non is also used to indicate the opposite of something, such as non-smoker or non-alcoholic. On the other hand, not is used to negate the verb in a sentence, indicating that something is not happening or not true.

Examples

Here are some examples of how non and not are used in sentences:

• Non-essential workers were asked to stay home during the pandemic.
• She is a non-native speaker of English.
• The book is not available in stores.
• I am not going to the party tonight.

Similarities

Both non and not are used to create negative meanings in sentences. They both indicate the absence or negation of something. However, they are used in different contexts and have slightly different meanings. Non is used to describe something that lacks a particular quality, while not is used to negate the verb in a sentence.

Differences

One key difference between non and not is their placement in a sentence. Non is typically used before a noun or adjective, while not is used before a verb. Additionally, non is used to create words that describe something that lacks a particular quality, while not is used to indicate that something is not happening or not true.

Conclusion

In conclusion, non and not are both negative prefixes used in the English language to negate the meaning of a word. While they have some similarities in that they both create negative meanings in sentences, they are used in different contexts and have slightly different meanings. Non is used to describe something that lacks a particular quality, while not is used to negate the verb in a sentence.