Cool MateNever but never vs Not at all
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Never but never
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Not at all
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Not at allMost common: Not at all
| Never but never | Not at all | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈnɛvər bʌt ˈnɛvər//🇺🇸 //ˈnɛvər bʌt ˈnɛvər// | 🇬🇧 //nɒt æt ɔːl//🇺🇸 //nɑt æt ɔl// |
| Meaning | A strong phrase emphasizing 'never' more than once. | not even a little bit |
| Example | I will never but never go back to that restaurant. | I didn't like the movie, not at all. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | never but never say, never but never do, never but never promise, never but never agree, never but never hope | 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 it sounds too dramatic., Confusing it with 'never ever', which has a similar meaning but a different tone., Omitting the second 'never' which changes the emphasis. | 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 informal speech or writing to emphasize that something will not happen. Avoid in formal contexts. | 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: Never but never vs Not at all
What's the difference between Never but never and Not at all?
Never but never: A strong phrase emphasizing 'never' more than once. Not at all: not even a little bit
Which is more formal: Never but never and Not at all?
Not at all is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Never but never and Not at all?
Not at all is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Never but never: I will never but never go back to that restaurant. Not at all: I didn't like the movie, not at all.
Can I use Never but never and Not at all interchangeably?
Not always. Never but never 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.