human at all

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "human at all" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the degree to which someone or something lacks human qualities or characteristics. Example: "I sometimes wonder if he is human at all, given his lack of empathy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Books

Opinion

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

Like children all over the world, by the age of 10 I'd come to believe that most of the really humane creatures were not really human at all.

The Guardian - Books

But you can't, because you're white, a stigmatized presence in a world that associates you with incomprehension, callousness, and a sort of confused humanity, if it sees you as human at all.

The New Yorker

As a man, Chaplin was barely human at all.

The Guardian - Books

You are treated like you're not human at all.

The Guardian - Opinion

"I said, 'This boy is not human at all,' " Fraser said.

The New York Times - Sports

As though she were a discarded thing, scarcely human at all.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

23 human-written examples

"There are no humans at all in this game.

The Guardian

White gulls dive-bombed us on the trip, seemingly indignant to see humans at all.

The Guardian

None of the machines look like Arnold Schwarzenegger in "The Terminator" or even like humans at all.

The New York Times - Tech

I would go further: without play we are not, as Schiller recognised, humans at all".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Other people here at Stony Brook have looked at the arms and legs and say they don't look like modern humans at all".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use the phrase "human at all" to express a strong sense of disbelief or questioning regarding someone's humanity, often in situations where their actions or characteristics seem particularly inhuman or alien. It is suitable for both formal and informal contexts.

Common error

While versatile, using "human at all" excessively in formal or academic writing might make your tone seem overly dramatic or subjective. Consider replacing it with more neutral or factual language to maintain objectivity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "human at all" functions as an adjectival phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, typically expressing a denial or strong questioning of the subject's humanity. Ludwig's examples illustrate its use in various contexts, from questioning moral character to describing fictional beings.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Books

12%

Opinion

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "human at all" is a common and versatile expression used to question or deny the presence of human qualities in someone or something. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically sound and frequently appears in news, books, and opinion pieces. While it can be used in both formal and informal settings, it's important to be mindful of the context, as overuse in formal writing might sound overly dramatic. Semantically related phrases like ""human in any way"" or ""remotely human"" offer alternatives to express similar sentiments with nuanced differences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

human in any way

Replaces "at all" with "in any way", maintaining the overall meaning but with a slight shift in emphasis.

remotely human

Uses "remotely" to indicate a very slight degree of human-like qualities.

in the least human

Emphasizes the lack of human characteristics to the smallest degree.

even slightly human

Highlights the absence of even a small amount of human traits.

human to any extent

Focuses on whether someone possesses human qualities to any degree.

possessing any humanity

Shifts the focus to the possession of humanity as a quality.

having any human qualities

Specifically mentions the presence of human qualities.

at all human

Changes the word order slightly, keeping the essence of the original phrase.

any bit human

Uses "bit" to indicate a small amount of human characteristics.

genuinely human

Emphasizes the authenticity of being human, often used when questioning someone's actions.

FAQs

How can I use "human at all" in a sentence?

You can use "human at all" to express doubt or denial about someone's human qualities, like in the sentence: "After witnessing his cruelty, I wondered if he was "human at all"".

What are some alternatives to using "human at all"?

Depending on the context, you could use phrases like "human in any way", "remotely human", or "genuinely human" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "at all human" instead of "human at all"?

While "at all human" is grammatically understandable, "human at all" is the more common and natural-sounding phrase. The former might come across as slightly awkward in most contexts.

What does it mean when someone says another person is "not human at all"?

Saying someone is "not "human at all"" implies they lack empathy, compassion, or other qualities typically associated with being human. It's a strong statement often used to express extreme disapproval or disbelief in their actions.