is not at all

USAGE SUMMARY

"is not at all" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a negative opinion or feeling, or to deny the truth of something. For example, "I think your decision to move is not at all wise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It is not at all".

Independent

Her toothlessness is not at all apparent.

The New York Times

"That is not at all true".

The New York Times - Health

The answer is not at all clear.

The Economist

It is not at all clear.

The Economist

His experience is not at all uncommon.

The New York Times - Sports

This is not at all clear.

Independent

That is, not at all.

The New Yorker

That is not at all the test.

Harvard University

The cycle is not at all morbid.

The New York Times

It is not at all expensive.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "is not at all" to emphasize a negative statement, clarifying that something is entirely untrue or nonexistent in a particular context. It adds force to your negation, making it clear that there's no room for doubt.

Common error

While "is not at all" is acceptable, frequent use can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Vary your language with alternatives like "is in no way" or "is by no means" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "is not at all" functions as a negative intensifier, strengthening the negation of a statement. As shown in the Ludwig examples, it emphasizes that something is completely untrue or nonexistent. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Science

22%

Academia

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "is not at all" is a commonly used phrase to express strong negation. As Ludwig highlights, it's grammatically correct and effective in conveying that something is entirely untrue. While versatile, be mindful of overuse in very formal contexts. Consider synonyms like "is in no way" or "is absolutely not" for variety. The phrase is most frequently found in News & Media, Science, and Academic sources. Ludwig AI confirms its widespread usability in various writing scenarios.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

is in no way

Replaces "at all" with "in no way" to emphasize the complete absence of something.

is absolutely not

Uses "absolutely" to intensify the negation, indicating a strong denial.

is definitely not

Employs "definitely" to reinforce the negation, suggesting certainty.

is by no means

Replaces "is not at all" with a more formal expression indicating that something is certainly not the case.

is not even remotely

Emphasizes that something is not close to being true or possible.

is far from

Indicates that something is a considerable distance from being true or accurate.

is nowhere near

Similar to "far from", emphasizing a significant gap or difference.

is not remotely close to

Combines elements of distance and proximity to express a strong negation.

is quite the opposite of

Indicates that something is the complete reverse or contrary of what is stated.

is a complete misrepresentation of

Indicates that something is a complete distortion of the truth.

FAQs

How can I use "is not at all" in a sentence?

You can use "is not at all" to strongly negate a statement. For example, "The suggestion that I would agree to that "is not at all" accurate".

What can I say instead of "is not at all"?

You can use alternatives like "is in no way", "is absolutely not", or "is by no means" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "is not at all" or "is not at any"?

"Is not at all" is the more common and natural-sounding phrase. "Is not at any" is less frequently used and can sound awkward in many contexts.

What's the difference between "is not at all" and "is not really"?

"Is not at all" indicates a complete absence or denial, whereas "is not really" suggests something is partially true or not entirely the case. For example, "That "is not at all" what happened" vs "That "is not really" a good idea".