Cool MateNot at all vs We're not gonna do that
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Not at all
Top 2,000 (common)
We're not gonna do that
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Not at all
| Not at all | We're not gonna do that | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nɒt æt ɔːl//🇺🇸 //nɑt æt ɔl// | 🇬🇧 //wɪə nɒt ˈɡənə duː ðæt//🇺🇸 //wɪr nɑt ˈɡɑnə du ðæt// |
| Meaning | not even a little bit | We will not do that. |
| Example | I didn't like the movie, not at all. | We're not gonna do that if it takes too long. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | not at all worried, not at all surprising, not at all offended | gonna do, not gonna happen, we're not gonna go, not gonna make it, not gonna change |
| 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. | Using 'gonna' in formal writing., 'Not gonna' can be seen as rude if said aggressively. |
| 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 in casual conversations to express refusal or disagreement. Avoid in formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Not at all vs We're not gonna do that
What's the difference between Not at all and We're not gonna do that?
Not at all: not even a little bit We're not gonna do that: We will not do that.
Which is more formal: Not at all and We're not gonna do that?
Not at all is the most formal of these.
Can you show an example of each?
Not at all: I didn't like the movie, not at all. We're not gonna do that: We're not gonna do that if it takes too long.
Can I use Not at all and We're not gonna do that interchangeably?
Not always. Not at all and We're not gonna do that 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.