Cool MateNot at all vs Nothing neither
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Not at all
Top 2,000 (common)
Nothing neither
InformalBeyond 10,000 (less common)
Most formal: Not at allMost common: Not at all
| Not at all | Nothing neither | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nɒt æt ɔːl//🇺🇸 //nɑt æt ɔl// | 🇬🇧 //ˈnʌθɪŋ ˈniːðə//🇺🇸 //ˈnʌθɪŋ ˈniːðɚ// |
| Meaning | not even a little bit | Not one or the other; none at all. |
| Example | I didn't like the movie, not at all. | I asked for pizza or pasta, but I got nothing neither. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Beyond 10,000 (less common) |
| Collocations | not at all worried, not at all surprising, not at all offended | nothing neither acceptable, nothing neither available, nothing neither to lose |
| Antonyms | at all, somewhat, partially | - |
| Common mistakes | 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. | Confusing with 'none neither', which is incorrect., Using with singular subjects, 'nothing neither' refers to plural choices., Misplacing in sentences, causing unclear meaning. |
| Usage notes | 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. | Use 'nothing neither' in casual conversation to emphasize that neither option is acceptable. Avoid in formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: Not at all vs Nothing neither
What's the difference between Not at all and Nothing neither?
Not at all: not even a little bit Nothing neither: Not one or the other; none at all.
Which is more formal: Not at all and Nothing neither?
Not at all is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Not at all and Nothing neither?
Not at all is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Not at all: I didn't like the movie, not at all. Nothing neither: I asked for pizza or pasta, but I got nothing neither.
Can I use Not at all and Nothing neither interchangeably?
Not always. Not at all and Nothing neither 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.