By no means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "By no means" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to emphasize that something is not true or not the case at all. Example: "By no means should you think that I am giving up on this project."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

By no means.

The New York Times

By no means glamorous.

Huffington Post

Bynamite is by no means anti-advertising.

The New York Times

"It's by no means Houston.

The New York Times

But it is by no means unified.

The New York Times - Magazine

But he is by no means alone.

The New York Times

But that's by no means all.

Independent

Challenging, yes, but by no means impossible.

The New York Times

Yet this was by no means decisive.

The Economist

This is by no means crippling.

The Economist

But work is by no means guaranteed.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "By no means" to add emphasis when you want to strongly negate a statement or suggestion. It conveys a higher degree of certainty than a simple "no".

Common error

While "By no means" is suitable for many contexts, be mindful of your audience. In very informal settings, simpler negations like "Not at all" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "By no means" functions as an emphatic negator. It's used to strongly deny or contradict a statement. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and usable in written English and it is typically used to emphasize that something is not true.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

3%

Less common in

Science

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "By no means" serves as a strong negator, often used to emphasize a point or express disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, particularly in news and media contexts. While the phrase is versatile, it's important to consider the level of formality in your writing and audience to ensure its appropriateness. For a more informal tone, consider alternatives such as "not at all", while "certainly not" or "absolutely not" offer similar emphasis. Remember to use "By no means" to add impact, but avoid it in overly casual settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Certainly not

Expresses a strong negative response, similar to a firm denial.

Absolutely not

Conveys an even stronger sense of negation.

Definitely not

Shares a meaning of strong negation.

Not at all

Offers a more informal way to express complete disagreement or denial.

In no way

Emphasizes that something is impossible or untrue.

Under no circumstances

Indicates a strict prohibition or denial in any situation.

On no account

Expresses a firm prohibition, similar to "under no circumstances".

Not in the slightest

Suggests that something is far from being true or possible.

Far from it

Implies a strong contrast with what was suggested.

Nowhere near

Indicates that something is not close to being the case.

FAQs

How can I use "By no means" in a sentence?

"By no means" is typically used to strongly negate a statement. For example, "By no means am I suggesting we abandon the project" or "The task is by no means simple."

What are some alternatives to "By no means"?

You can use alternatives such as "certainly not", "absolutely not", or "not at all" depending on the context.

Is "By no means" formal or informal?

"By no means" can be used in both formal and neutral contexts. While not overly formal, it adds a degree of emphasis that may not be appropriate in very casual settings. Alternatives such as "not really" might be better suited for informal use.

Can "By no means" be used at the end of a sentence?

While less common, "By no means" can appear at the end of a sentence for emphasis, though it's more typical to find it at the beginning or near the verb. For example, "I intended no harm, by no means."