not at any time

USAGE SUMMARY

"not at any time" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something will never happen under any circumstances. For example: "He promised that he would never lie to her, not at any time."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

52 human-written examples

"No, not at any time," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

The white ball could dance, or not, at any time.

The New Yorker

"Not at any time, not coming out of spring training, not at any time during the season".

The New York Times

We did not at any time give tax advice and there was no conflict of interest.

The Guardian

"The French Football Federation did not at any time try to protect the group," the statement said.

The New York Times - Sports

You shall not at any time do anything to bring GNM's brands, trademarks or reputation into disrepute; and 5.1.2.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

"The big difference from last week is that we actually created good chances, we didn't at any time look lost from a shape perspective".

BBC

Don't at any time, place any extra weight on the machine, unless you intend to pay more for extra weight.

WikiHow

Absolutely not, at least not any time soon.

The Guardian - Opinion

"She's not alone at any time".

The New York Times

Mr. Lunn had not complained at any time of mistreatment, the official said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not at any time" to emphatically deny or negate an action or state, ensuring there is no ambiguity about its occurrence. For example, "The company has not at any time engaged in unethical practices."

Common error

Avoid using "not at any time" in overly complex sentences where a simpler negative construction would suffice. Overuse can make your writing sound convoluted. Instead of saying "It was determined that the subject was not at any time in possession of the item", consider "It was determined that the subject never possessed the item."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not at any time" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to express negation over a duration. As Ludwig AI points out, it emphatically denies or negates an action. It indicates that something did not happen or will not happen under any circumstances.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

38%

Wiki

7%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

3%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not at any time" is a versatile adverbial phrase used for emphatic negation across various contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability. Predominantly found in news, media and scientific sources, it serves to strongly deny or negate an action or state, leaving no room for ambiguity. While substitutes like "never" exist, "not at any time" can provide additional emphasis. When using the phrase, prioritize clarity and avoid overly complex sentence structures to ensure effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

never

A shorter, more direct synonym indicating the absence of something happening at any point.

at no point

Emphasizes the absence of something at any specific moment or stage.

under no circumstances

Highlights the conditions under which something would not occur, implying complete negation.

not ever

Reinforces "never" with additional emphasis on the entirety of time.

at no stage

Similar to "at no point", but specifically refers to stages or phases.

not once

Emphasizes that something has not happened even a single time.

in no instance

Indicates that something does not occur in any particular case or situation.

not in any instance

Similar to "in no instance", stressing the absence across all cases.

not on any occasion

Highlights the absence of something happening on any specific event or opportunity.

at no time whatsoever

An intensifier of "at no time" adding extra emphasis on the complete absence.

FAQs

How can I use "not at any time" in a sentence?

Use "not at any time" to emphasize that something never happened or will never happen, regardless of circumstances. For instance, "I have "not at any time" seen him behave rudely."

What's a simpler way to say "not at any time"?

The word "never" is a direct and concise substitute for "not at any time". For example, instead of "He was "not at any time" a member of the club", you can say "He was never a member of the club."

Is "at no time" the same as "not at any time"?

"At no time" and "not at any time" are very similar and often interchangeable. Both emphasize that something did not or will not occur. "At no time" can sometimes sound slightly more formal.

Which is more emphatic, "never" or "not at any time"?

While "never" is already emphatic, "not at any time" adds an extra layer of emphasis by explicitly stating the absence across all points in time. The choice depends on the desired level of intensity.