Cool MateNo I'm not vs Not at all
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No I'm not
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Not at all
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Not at all
| No I'm not | Not at all | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ aɪm nɒt//🇺🇸 //noʊ aɪm nɑt// | 🇬🇧 //nɒt æt ɔːl//🇺🇸 //nɑt æt ɔl// |
| Meaning | No, I don't agree or I don't want to. | not even a little bit |
| Example | Do you want to go out tonight? No, I'm not. | I didn't like the movie, not at all. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | say no, make a negative statement, express disagreement | not at all worried, not at all surprising, not at all offended |
| Antonyms | - | at all, somewhat, partially |
| Common mistakes | Using it in a formal setting where a more polite refusal is needed., Adding unnecessary words that make it unclear., Mispronouncing 'no' or 'not'. | 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 | Used to refuse or disagree informally. Common in spoken conversation, but may be considered impolite 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: No I'm not vs Not at all
What's the difference between No I'm not and Not at all?
No I'm not: No, I don't agree or I don't want to. Not at all: not even a little bit
Which is more formal: No I'm not and Not at all?
Not at all is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
No I'm not: Do you want to go out tonight? No, I'm not. Not at all: I didn't like the movie, not at all.
Can I use No I'm not and Not at all interchangeably?
Not always. No I'm not 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.