# 'should\_not' Clause

The `should_not` clause within a `bool` query specifies conditions that are optional for a document to be considered a match, in a similar manner to `'should'` clause. The `should_not` clause decreases the document score. The `should` clause is often used for expressing optional or desirable conditions.

#### 'should\_not' Clause Score <a href="#should_not-clause-score" id="should_not-clause-score"></a>

In the `'should_not'` clause, each condition is associated with a designated score, and the overall score for the clause is determined by substracting these individual scores. If not explicitly specified otherwise, scoring follows the TF-IDF scoring model. The `'should_not'` clause enables documents to be a lesser match if they meet any of the specified conditions.

The combined score is a subtraction of the individual scores

Score = -score1 - score2 - score3...

**Example -**

Copy

```json
{
  "query": {
    "bool": {
      "must": { "Bird": "Asian Koel" }
      "should_not": [
        { "term": { "Country": "India" } },
        { "term": { "Color": "Black" } }
      ]
    }
  }
}
```

In the above example, all candidates must satisfy the condition -

* exact match over the 'bird' field, with score equals TF-IDF score for { "Bird": "Asian Koel" }

In addition, any documents that satisfy the following conditions -

* exact match over the 'Country' field, with score equals TF-IDF score for { "Bird": "Asian Koel" }
* exact match over "Color" field, with score equals TF-IDF score for { "In Stock": "true" }

Will receive lower score. The overall score will be a sum of the individual scores.