not at all

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Used to answer politely when someone thanks you or apologizes, meaning it was no trouble.

   Grammar: Used alone as a short reply: Thank you. Not at all.

   Patterns

   • Not at all.

   Thanks for helping me move. Not at all, I was glad to.

   Sorry to disturb you. Not at all, come in.

   Thank you for waiting. Not at all.

2. 2adverbnot comparable

   Used to make a negative statement or answer very strong, meaning in no way or to no degree.

   Grammar: Goes after a negative verb or alone: I was not at all tired.

   Patterns

   • not at all + adjective
   • not at all sure

   Do you mind if I open the window? Not at all.

   The movie was not at all what I expected.

   He is not at all upset about the delay.

Common combinations

not at all surprised

I was not at all surprised by the result.

not at all interested

She is not at all interested in sports.

not at all likely

Rain is not at all likely this weekend.

not at all clear

The instructions were not at all clear.

not at all, thank you

Not at all, thank you; I managed on my own.

Synonyms and how they differ

no problem

No problem is more casual, and not at all sounds a little more polite and formal.

don't mention it

Don't mention it is warmer and only answers thanks, whereas not at all also answers apologies and questions.

by no means

By no means is more formal and emphatic, and cannot be used to answer thanks.

you're welcome

You're welcome only answers thanks, so it is narrower than not at all.

Opposites

Word family

at all adverb

to any degree, used in questions and negatives

none at all phrase

not any

nothing at all phrase

absolutely nothing

not in the least phrase

to no degree at all

Commonly confused: not at all or all at once?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “not at all”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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