not at all

USAGE SUMMARY

"not at all" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It is used to politely negate a statement or response, usually negating the value or importance of something. For example: "Do you think these new changes will become permanent?" "Not at all, I think they're just a temporary measure."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

MACDONALD Not at all.

The New York Times - Sports

Anonymous Not at all.

The New York Times

Radziwill: Not at all.

The New York Times

Greenblatt: Not at all.

The New York Times - Books

Not at all".

The New York Times - Sports

A Not at all.

The New York Times

"Anything new?" "Not at all.

The New Yorker

Mary: Not at all.

The New York Times

JT: "Not at all.

BBC

Feder: Not at all.

Forbes

Raphael: Not at all.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not at all" to politely negate a statement or offer reassurance, especially when someone expresses gratitude or concern. For instance, respond with "not at all" when someone says "thank you" to convey that the act was no trouble.

Common error

Avoid using "not at all" excessively in highly formal or professional writing. While polite, it can sound too casual. Opt for more formal alternatives like "by no means" or "certainly not" in such settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not at all" primarily functions as an adverbial phrase used for negation or as a polite response to express that something is of no concern or trouble. Ludwig AI confirms this with numerous examples of its use in negating statements.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not at all" is a versatile phrase used primarily for polite negation or reassurance. Ludwig AI confirms that its grammatical function is adverbial, serving to modify statements or express agreement. While highly frequent in news and media, it finds application across varied contexts with the slight exception of overly informal instances, where alternatives like "no problem" may be preferred. It's essential to consider the situation and the desired tone, but otherwise, this expression presents no common errors in usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely not

Intensifies the negation, suggesting a complete and unquestionable denial.

by no means

Emphasizes a strong denial or impossibility, suggesting that something is definitely not the case.

in no way

Similar to "by no means", stressing the impossibility or unacceptability of something.

certainly not

Expresses a definite and firm negation.

definitely not

Similar to "certainly not", implying a strong and clear negation.

not in the least

Indicates a complete lack of concern or impact, suggesting something is negligible.

not in the slightest

Synonymous with "not in the least", emphasizing the minimal degree of something.

not one bit

Emphasizes the absence of something to any degree, highlighting a complete lack.

no way

An informal way to express strong disagreement or denial.

of course not

Implies that something is obviously untrue or unacceptable, conveying a sense of agreement.

FAQs

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

You can use "not at all" to politely negate a statement or to respond to thanks. For example, "Are you sure you don't mind?" "Not at all." Or, "Thank you for your help." "Not at all, I was happy to assist."

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

Alternatives to "not at all" include "by no means", "certainly not", or "absolutely not" depending on the context and desired level of formality.

Is it correct to use "not at all" in response to "thank you"?

Yes, using "not at all" as a response to "thank you" is a polite and common way to indicate that you were happy to help and that the action was no trouble.

What's the difference between "not at all" and "no problem" when responding to thanks?

"Not at all" is a more formal and traditional response, while "no problem" is more casual. Both convey that you were happy to assist, but "no problem" might be more appropriate in informal settings.