oh no

USAGE SUMMARY

"oh no" is correct and can be used in written English in informal contexts.
For example: Oh no, I forgot to buy eggs!.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Saturday, September 8 Oh no, oh no, oh no.

The Guardian

S.W. Oh no.

The New York Times - Sports

The "oh, no" tweets.

The New Yorker

"Oh, no!" Ryan cried.

The New York Times - Magazine

"Oh no! You're right!

The New York Times

"Oh, no you don't.

The New Yorker

Oh, no! Ah, jeez!

The New York Times

"Oh, no; not yet.

The New Yorker

"It's always: 'Oh, no!

The New York Times

"She said, 'Oh no!

The New York Times

"Oh, no!" someone said.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "oh no" to express immediate dismay, surprise, or concern. It's suitable for informal settings and can add emotional emphasis to your writing.

Common error

While "oh no" is a common expression, avoid overusing it in formal writing. In professional or academic contexts, opt for more sophisticated expressions of concern or disappointment.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "oh no" functions primarily as an interjection. It's used to express a sudden feeling of dismay, surprise, or regret. Ludwig AI confirms that it is correct to use it in informal contexts. Examples from Ludwig show its use in expressing immediate reactions to problems or errors.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "oh no" is a common interjection used to express dismay, surprise, or regret. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and best suited for informal contexts. Predominantly found in news and media sources, it serves the purpose of conveying immediate emotional reactions. While it's a versatile phrase for adding emotional emphasis, remember to use more formal alternatives in professional or academic settings. Its frequent appearance in authoritative sources like The New York Times and The Guardian underscores its widespread use in everyday language.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

that's terrible

This alternative conveys a similar sense of negativity and concern about a situation.

that's awful

This alternative conveys a strong feeling of negativity or shock.

what a shame

This expresses regret or disappointment about an unfortunate situation.

how awful

Expresses strong dismay or disapproval.

not good

A simple and direct expression of something being undesirable.

I can't believe it

Indicates disbelief or shock at something unexpected.

that's unfortunate

A polite way to acknowledge an undesirable situation.

dear me

This is a more old-fashioned expression of surprise or concern.

that's not ideal

Expresses that a situation is less than perfect or desirable.

I'm so sorry

Expresses sympathy or regret for a bad situation.

FAQs

How can I use "oh no" in a sentence?

"Oh no" is typically used as an interjection at the beginning of a sentence to express dismay, surprise, or regret. For example, "Oh no, I forgot my keys!"

What can I say instead of "oh no"?

You can use alternatives like "that's terrible", "what a shame", or "that's awful" depending on the context.

Is "oh no" appropriate for formal writing?

"Oh no" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's best to use more sophisticated expressions of concern or disappointment.

What's the difference between "oh no" and "no"?

"No" is a direct negation or refusal. "Oh no" expresses dismay, surprise, or concern about a situation. It carries a stronger emotional connotation than a simple "no".