Difference between revisions of "Language/English/Vocabulary/At-all"
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Examples: | Examples: | ||
I did not understand anything at all. (= I did not understand even a little.) | *I did not understand anything at all. (= I did not understand even a little.) | ||
She was hardly frightened at all. | *She was hardly frightened at all. | ||
| Line 19: | Line 19: | ||
===Examples:=== | ===Examples:=== | ||
Do you play piano at all? (= . . . even a little?) | *Do you play piano at all? (= . . . even a little?) | ||
He will come before dinner if he comes at all. | *He will come before dinner if he comes at all. | ||
You can come whenever you like - any time at all. | *You can come whenever you like - any time at all. | ||
==Not at all== | ==Not at all== | ||
'''The expression "not at all" is used (especially in British English) as a rather formal answer to "Thank you" and to "Do you mind if. . .?"''' | '''The expression "not at all" is used (especially in British English) as a rather formal answer to "Thank you" and to "Do you mind if. . .?"''' | ||
Revision as of 10:02, 27 January 2021
At all
"At all" with a negative
We often use "at all" to emphasize a negative idea.
Examples:
- I did not understand anything at all. (= I did not understand even a little.)
- She was hardly frightened at all.
Questions, etc
"At all" can also be used in questions, and with 'non-affirmative’ words like if, ever and any.
Examples:
- Do you play piano at all? (= . . . even a little?)
- He will come before dinner if he comes at all.
- You can come whenever you like - any time at all.
Not at all
The expression "not at all" is used (especially in British English) as a rather formal answer to "Thank you" and to "Do you mind if. . .?"