categorical no

USAGE SUMMARY

"categorical no" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to indicate a firm and absolute refusal or denial. Example: Despite her persistent requests, he gave her a categorical no when she asked to borrow his car.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

So that's a categorical no to fracking, then?

The Guardian

He did, however, provide a categorical "no" when Dreyfus asked the same question that Hayes had asked.

The Guardian

He then told parliament a categorical "no" when Labor asked the same question posed by Hayes about whether he asked Ashby to procure copies of the diary.

The Guardian

But when a reporter asked one of the members whether Radiohead had been influenced by Genesis and Pink Floyd, the answer was swift and categorical: "No.

The New Yorker

But does that mean that torture can sometimes be justified to extract information?The answer in international law is categorical: no.

The Economist

During an extended interview on German television last week, Franz Beckenbauer aired his thoughts on many subjects: hooliganism (a problem that should be watched closely), South Africa's faltering World Cup preparations (we must help them), the idea that he might one day run for Fifa president (a categorical "no").

The Guardian - Sport

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

Ministers have to make it very categorical that no action will be taken against these former officers if they come forward".

The Guardian

Bailey is also categorical that no confidential information was passed to him from the England dressing room and that his tweets were meant as lighthearted parody based on facts about Pietersen already in the public domain, such as his criticism of the former England batsman and Sky commentator Nick Knight.

The Guardian - Sport

Descriptive statistics (ie, mean [standard deviation]) were used to describe categorical data; no other statistical analyses were performed.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

On the simple version, there is some fixed threshold of awfulness beyond which morality's categorical norms no longer have their overriding force.

SEP

Each rater graded the error or optimisation case for severity of clinical impact using a 5-point categorical scale (no, minor, moderate, severe and life threatening/saving clinical impact).

Intensive Care Medicine Experimental

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "categorical no" when you want to express a firm and unambiguous refusal, leaving no room for negotiation or doubt. It's suitable for situations requiring a clear and authoritative stance.

Common error

While "categorical no" is a powerful phrase, avoid using it in casual conversations or informal settings. Opt for simpler expressions like "no way" or "definitely not" to maintain a natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "categorical no" functions as a strong interjection or response expressing absolute denial or refusal. Ludwig AI's analysis confirms this usage through numerous examples where it's used to indicate a firm rejection.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "categorical no" is used to express a firm and absolute refusal. Ludwig AI’s analysis of numerous examples shows that it's grammatically correct and mainly appears in news and media, and scientific contexts. Alternatives include "resounding no", "firm no", and "definite no". While effective in formal settings, avoid overusing it in casual conversations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

resounding no

Emphasizes the clarity and forcefulness of the refusal.

firm no

Indicates a strong and unwavering denial.

definite no

Highlights the lack of ambiguity in the refusal.

absolute no

Stresses the complete and unconditional nature of the refusal.

unambiguous no

Focuses on the clarity and lack of doubt in the refusal.

emphatic no

Highlights the forceful and decisive nature of the refusal.

decisive no

Emphasizes the firm and determined quality of the refusal.

outright no

Indicates a direct and immediate refusal.

steadfast no

Highlights a very firm and unwavering refusal, showing a strong, reliable rejection.

flat-out rejection

Implies a complete and unequivocal refusal or denial of something.

FAQs

How to use "categorical no" in a sentence?

Use "categorical no" when you want to express a firm and absolute refusal or denial. For example: "The proposal was met with a "categorical no" from the board."

What can I say instead of "categorical no"?

You can use alternatives like "resounding no", "firm no", or "definite no" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "categorical no"?

It's appropriate to use "categorical no" in formal or serious contexts where you want to express a very strong and clear refusal. It is used to remove all ambiguity about a position.

Is "categorical no" too formal for casual conversation?

Yes, "categorical no" can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Simpler alternatives such as "no way", "definitely not", or just "no" are usually more appropriate.