Cool MateBut that's not true at all vs Not at all
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
But that's not true at all
Top 3,000 (common)
Not at all
Top 2,000 (common)
Most common: Not at all
| But that's not true at all | Not at all | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //bʌt ðæts nɒt truː æt ɔːl//🇺🇸 //bʌt ðæts nɑt tru æt ɔl// | 🇬🇧 //nɒt æt ɔːl//🇺🇸 //nɑt æt ɔl// |
| Meaning | This means something is completely untrue. | not even a little bit |
| Example | She said I never help her, but that's not true at all! | I didn't like the movie, not at all. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | say that's not true at all, believe that's not true at all, know that's not true at all | not at all worried, not at all surprising, not at all offended |
| Antonyms | - | at all, somewhat, partially |
| Common mistakes | Using it in a formal context where a softer expression would be better., Confusing it with other phrases that carry a different tone or implication. | Confusing with 'not really' which is less absolute., Using it in formal contexts where a less emphatic phrase is better., Omitting it when it's necessary for clarity. |
| Usage notes | Use in conversations to emphasize disagreement. Avoid in very formal writing or speeches. | Use 'not at all' to emphasize complete disagreement or absence. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but less common in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: But that's not true at all vs Not at all
What's the difference between But that's not true at all and Not at all?
But that's not true at all: This means something is completely untrue. Not at all: not even a little bit
Which is more common: But that's not true at all and Not at all?
Not at all is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
But that's not true at all: She said I never help her, but that's not true at all! Not at all: I didn't like the movie, not at all.
Can I use But that's not true at all and Not at all interchangeably?
Not always. But that's not true at all and Not at all are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.