not at all ready

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'not at all ready' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize the degree or intensity of your unpreparedness for something. For example: "I'm not at all ready for my final exam tomorrow!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

13 human-written examples

"I'm not at all ready to say this is going to be a banner year".

The New York Times

They're not at all ready to do what needs to be done — which is to make banking boring again.

The New York Times

More than one Administration official has told me that in talking about South Africa Reagan has recommended a certain movie that depicts Africans as savages & not at all ready for self-government.

The New Yorker

They generally were not at all ready or willing to question the wisdom of rebuilding on a ribbon of sand buffeted by the Atlantic Ocean and directed by nature to shift with winds and tides.

The New York Times

In their view, these events prove that Turkey is too ready to wander off the West's reservation and pander to Islamist extremists and not at all ready for solidarity with the EU's common foreign policy.

The Economist

Speaking without notes, he urged his admirers to continue their "quiet works of mercy" after he stepped down, and joked that he was not at all ready to surrender the "fancy digs" he enjoys behind St . Patricks Cathedral.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

44 human-written examples

If you've been running the Maps app that Google released for iOS back in December (three months after Apple ditched Google Maps in favor of their own, not-at-all-ready-for-prime-time app), the new Android interface probably looks pretty familiar.

TechCrunch

James: I did like her, but I wasn't at all ready for dating.

The New York Times

It would slash spending at a time when private demand isn't at all ready to take up the slack.

The New York Times

Mike, on the other hand, wasn't at all ready to die, and if he was going to live, so was Laura.

The New York Times - Magazine

Maybe your partner is not on the same page and isn't at all ready to accept this.

WikiHow

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not at all ready" to express a strong lack of preparedness or willingness. It adds emphasis compared to simply saying "not ready".

Common error

Avoid using "not at all ready" when a simple "not ready" suffices. Overusing it can weaken its impact. Reserve it for situations where you want to strongly emphasize your lack of preparedness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not at all ready" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a subject to express a strong state of unpreparedness. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature. The examples illustrate its use in various contexts to emphasize the lack of readiness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "not at all ready" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong lack of preparedness or willingness. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for use in various contexts, though it's most frequently found in news and media sources. When writing, remember to use it when you want to emphasize your lack of readiness. Alternatives like "completely unprepared" or "utterly unready" can be used for similar emphasis, with slight differences in nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely unprepared

Emphasizes a total lack of preparation, stronger than "not at all ready".

utterly unready

Similar to "completely unprepared", stressing the extent of unpreparedness.

entirely unready

Synonymous with "utterly unready", indicating a full lack of readiness.

totally unequipped

Focuses on lacking the necessary resources or skills.

nowhere near ready

Indicates a significant distance from being ready.

far from ready

Similar to "nowhere near ready", suggesting considerable unpreparedness.

not remotely ready

Emphasizes the lack of even a slight degree of readiness.

ill-prepared

A more concise and formal way of saying "not at all ready".

unfit

Implies a lack of suitability or competence, which is a specific aspect of readiness.

in no shape

Describes a state of being unready due to a current condition.

FAQs

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

You can use "not at all ready" to express a strong feeling of being unprepared. For example, "I am "not at all ready" for the presentation tomorrow", indicating a significant lack of preparedness.

What are some alternatives to "not at all ready"?

Alternatives include "completely unprepared", "utterly unready", or "far from ready". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "not at all ready"?

Use "not at all ready" when you want to strongly emphasize your lack of preparedness or willingness. It is suitable in both formal and informal contexts, as shown by Ludwig examples.

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

"Not ready" simply indicates a lack of preparedness. "Not at all ready" intensifies the statement, emphasizing a significant lack of preparation or willingness. The addition of "at all" amplifies the feeling.