not even slightly

USAGE SUMMARY

"not even slightly" is correct and usable in written English.
It is used to express a complete lack of something or to emphasize that a small amount does not exist. For example, "He was not even slightly interested in the book."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Lifestyle

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

43 human-written examples

Not even slightly.

The New Yorker

No, not even slightly.

The Washington Post

The answer is no — not even slightly.

The New Yorker

This is not even slightly true.

The Guardian - Film

They're not even slightly concerned people will draw comparisons?

Independent

Muir puts the box down, smiling, not even slightly sheepish.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

17 human-written examples

You couldn't even slightly blame her.

The New York Times - Arts

And to my disappointment, she wasn't even slightly freaked out.

The Guardian - Tech

Have a look at this bravura fan-made fake trailer for the movie (featuring Breaking Bad's Bryan Cranston as Lex Luthor), and tell me your tastebuds aren't even slightly tingling?

The Guardian - Film

Perusing the Esmonde and Larbey section of my DVD collection – yes, they have a section – I was genuinely excited to pick out the Good Life box set again and find it didn't even slightly disappoint.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

If these modern habits aren't even slightly nasty, and if we live in lovely democratic times, hasn't the hour arrived to say that elbows on the table and right-handed fork-wielding are now fine, if not actually good, things?

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not even slightly" to add emphasis when you want to express a complete lack of something, ensuring your statement is strong and clear.

Common error

While "not even slightly" is generally acceptable, be mindful of overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where more precise or nuanced language might be preferred.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not even slightly" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the negation of an adjective or verb. As shown in Ludwig, it underscores the complete absence of a quality or action, making the statement more forceful.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Lifestyle

9%

Science

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "not even slightly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a strong negation or absence of something. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and wide applicability, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it's best to consider the context and opt for more formal language in academic or highly professional settings. Alternatives like "not at all" or "not in the least" can provide similar emphasis while suiting different tones. Be mindful of overuse and choose the most appropriate phrase for your specific writing needs.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not in the least

Emphasizes the complete absence of something, similar to "not even slightly".

not at all

A common and direct way to express negation.

not one bit

Informal way of saying there is no amount of something.

not in any way

Highlights the absence of something in any possible manner.

nowhere near

Indicates a significant difference or distance from something.

by no means

Formal way of expressing strong negation.

not remotely

Suggests that something is not even close to being the case.

not a whit

An older, somewhat literary way of saying "not at all".

not so much as

Emphasizes that something does not even reach a minimal level.

far from it

Expresses that the opposite is true.

FAQs

How can I use "not even slightly" in a sentence?

You can use "not even slightly" to emphasize the absence of something, for example: "I was "not even slightly" bothered by the noise."

What are some alternatives to "not even slightly"?

Some alternatives to "not even slightly" include "not at all", "not in the least", or "not remotely" depending on the context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "not even slightly"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Not even slightly" is a common idiomatic phrase used to express a complete lack of something.

What is the difference between "not even slightly" and "not really"?

"Not even slightly" indicates a complete absence, while "not really" suggests a lesser degree or partial absence.