Cool MateNo way vs That's not
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No way
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
That's not
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: That's not
| No way | That's not | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ weɪ//🇺🇸 //noʊ weɪ// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts nɒt//🇺🇸 //ðæts nɑt// |
| Meaning | A phrase used to express disbelief or refusal. | It means something is not true or correct. |
| Example | You won the lottery? No way! | If you think that is true, **that's not** correct. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | no way in hell, no way out, no way to tell | that's not true, that's not fair, that's not acceptable, that's not possible |
| Common mistakes | Using 'no way' in formal situations like essays or presentations., Mixing with more formal expressions like 'absolutely not'. | Using it without context, making it unclear what is being referred to., Misusing it in overly formal situations where softer language is expected., Forgetting to follow up with an explanation after using it. |
| Usage notes | Use 'no way' in casual conversations to show strong disagreement or surprise. It's suited for informal contexts, not appropriate in formal writing. | Use this phrase to disagree or correct someone. It's suitable in conversations but may sound blunt in formal situations. |
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Frequently asked questions: No way vs That's not
What's the difference between No way and That's not?
No way: A phrase used to express disbelief or refusal. That's not: It means something is not true or correct.
Which is more formal: No way and That's not?
That's not is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
No way: You won the lottery? No way! That's not: If you think that is true, **that's not** correct.
Can I use No way and That's not interchangeably?
Not always. No way and That's not 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.