Cool MateI mean like not at all vs Not at all
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
I mean like not at all
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Not at all
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Not at all
| I mean like not at all | Not at all | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //aɪ miːn laɪk nɒt æt ɔːl//🇺🇸 //aɪ min laɪk nɑt æt ɔl// | 🇬🇧 //nɒt æt ɔːl//🇺🇸 //nɑt æt ɔl// |
| Meaning | I am saying something that doesn't happen or is not true. | not even a little bit |
| Example | I mean like not at all, I didn’t break the vase! | I didn't like the movie, not at all. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | I mean like not at all, say I mean, mean something serious | not at all worried, not at all surprising, not at all offended |
| Antonyms | - | at all, somewhat, partially |
| Common mistakes | Overusing it in formal settings., Using 'I mean like not at all' when something is partially true., Confusing it with other phrases that are more general. | 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 | This phrase is used to emphasize that something is not true or does not happen. Often used in casual conversations. | 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: I mean like not at all vs Not at all
What's the difference between I mean like not at all and Not at all?
I mean like not at all: I am saying something that doesn't happen or is not true. Not at all: not even a little bit
Which is more formal: I mean like not at all and Not at all?
Not at all is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
I mean like not at all: I mean like not at all, I didn’t break the vase! Not at all: I didn't like the movie, not at all.
Can I use I mean like not at all and Not at all interchangeably?
Not always. I mean like not 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.