Cool MateNo way vs Not this time
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
No way
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Not this time
Top 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Not this time
| No way | Not this time | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nəʊ weɪ//🇺🇸 //noʊ weɪ// | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ðɪs taɪm//🇺🇸 //nɑt ðɪs taɪm// |
| Meaning | A phrase used to express disbelief or refusal. | this time, no. |
| Example | You won the lottery? No way! | I appreciate the offer, but it's not this time. |
| 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 | say not this time, choose not this time |
| Antonyms | - | yes, certainly, this time |
| Common mistakes | Using 'no way' in formal situations like essays or presentations., Mixing with more formal expressions like 'absolutely not'. | Using it when it's not a refusal., Confused with 'not this moment' which implies a future possibility. |
| 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. | Used to refuse or deny something in the present context. Appropriate in both casual and formal situations when declining an offer or proposal. |
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Frequently asked questions: No way vs Not this time
What's the difference between No way and Not this time?
No way: A phrase used to express disbelief or refusal. Not this time: this time, no.
Which is more formal: No way and Not this time?
Not this time is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
No way: You won the lottery? No way! Not this time: I appreciate the offer, but it's not this time.
Can I use No way and Not this time interchangeably?
Not always. No way and Not this time 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.