Cool MateNo no vs Not at all
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No no
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Not at all
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Not at allMost common: Not at all
| No no | Not at all | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ nəʊ//🇺🇸 //noʊ noʊ// | 🇬🇧 //nɒt æt ɔːl//🇺🇸 //nɑt æt ɔl// |
| Meaning | A way to say 'no' to something firmly. | not even a little bit |
| Example | Can we go outside now? | I didn't like the movie, not at all. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | say no no, make a no no, all the no no | not at all worried, not at all surprising, not at all offended |
| Antonyms | - | at all, somewhat, partially |
| Common mistakes | Overusing in formal contexts where a simple 'no' is better., Confusing with 'nope' as they have different levels of formality. | 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 in casual conversations; avoid in formal settings. It usually indicates strong disagreement or refusal. | 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 no vs Not at all
What's the difference between No no and Not at all?
No no: A way to say 'no' to something firmly. Not at all: not even a little bit
Which is more formal: No no and Not at all?
Not at all is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: No no and Not at all?
Not at all is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
No no: Can we go outside now? Not at all: I didn't like the movie, not at all.
Can I use No no and Not at all interchangeably?
Not always. No no 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.