Cool MateThat ain't no kinda answer vs That's not an answer
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That ain't no kinda answer
That's not an answer
| That ain't no kinda answer | That's not an answer | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæt eɪnt nəʊ ˈkaɪndə ˈɑːnsə//🇺🇸 //ðæt eɪnt noʊ ˈkaɪndə ˈænɚ// | 🇬🇧 //ðæts nɒt ən ˈɑːnsər//🇺🇸 //ðæts nɑt ən ˈænsər// |
| Meaning | That is not a proper response. | That does not respond to the question. |
| Example | When he said 'maybe', I thought, 'That ain't no kinda answer.' | When I asked for clarification, she replied with a joke, and I thought, 'that's not an answer.' |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Beyond 10,000 (less common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| Collocations | kinda vague response, kinda incomplete answer, kinda weak excuse | give an answer, provide a response, ask a question, avoid the question |
| Antonyms | - | That's a solution, That's a response, That's an explanation |
| Common mistakes | Using in formal writing or speeches., Confusing with 'That's not an answer'., Misusing 'ain't' in standard English. | Using it in a joking manner when seriousness is needed., Confusing it with 'that's not the answer' which implies a specific answer is wrong. |
| Usage notes | Used in casual conversations, typically when someone feels disappointed with a response. Not appropriate for formal settings. | Use in discussions or debates when someone avoids the question. More appropriate in formal discussions, less so in casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: That ain't no kinda answer vs That's not an answer
What's the difference between That ain't no kinda answer and That's not an answer?
That ain't no kinda answer: That is not a proper response. That's not an answer: That does not respond to the question.
Which is more formal: That ain't no kinda answer and That's not an answer?
That's not an answer is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: That ain't no kinda answer and That's not an answer?
That's not an answer is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
That ain't no kinda answer: When he said 'maybe', I thought, 'That ain't no kinda answer.' That's not an answer: When I asked for clarification, she replied with a joke, and I thought, 'that's not an answer.'
Can I use That ain't no kinda answer and That's not an answer interchangeably?
Not always. That ain't no kinda answer and That's not an answer 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.