>>> notElem 'x' ("abc" :: String) True >>> notElem False (one True :: Set Bool) ... ... Do not use 'elem' and 'notElem' methods from 'Foldable' on Set Suggestions: Instead of elem :: (Foldable t, Eq a) => a -> t a -> Bool use member :: Ord a => a -> Set a -> Bool ... Instead of notElem :: (Foldable t, Eq a) => a -> t a -> Bool use not . member ...