Not fact elements
- Last Updated: May 29, 2026
- 2 minute read
- Semaphore
- Documentation
Summary
Use the “not fact” hierarchical relationship to model any “negative fact” or “negative context” elements. A negative fact or negative context is a fact or context, which if occurs, will cause the extractor to fail. So long as the negative fact or context are NOT found, then the parent extractor will fire.
Usage Notes
Use the “not fact” element when you want to extract a fact EXCEPT where it contains the negative fact or context.
Properties
| Domain | Range | Inverse |
|---|---|---|
| Contexts | Fact Context Elements | not fact in |
Example model and tests
The example extractor DF4 in the “FactExtraction-Example” model uses a “not fact”. Our example is a “Near Ordered Across Phrases in Document” extractor that is looking for a Taxonomy Fact, a negative Taxonomy Fact, and then another Taxonomy Fact.
Important: for this extractor to work, you need to ensure the broader relationship of the concept “DF4 - Near ordered phrases in the same sentence (negated fact)” is “document-identifying document fact in”: 
Positive test content
Apple beer.
“Apple” is the first fact in the extractor, a Taxonomy Fact looking for concepts in the “Everyday food” taxonomy.
“beer” is the third fact in the extractor, a Taxonomy Fact looking for concepts in the “Everyday drinks” taxonomy.
The second fact in the extractor is the “negative fact”, a Taxonomy Fact looking for concepts in the “Poison” taxonomy. If found, it will cause the extractor to fail. It is not found here, so the extractor will succeed.
Negative test content
Apple bleach beer.
This will not fire since the negative fact, “bleach” from the “Poison” taxonomy, is present.