at all

IPA/ˌət ˈɔːl/
IPA/ˌət ˈɑːl/

at all — adverb

1. used with negative words like 'not' or 'no', in questions, and after 'if', to sa

1.副詞B1
釋義

used with negative words like 'not' or 'no', in questions, and after 'if', to say that something does not happen, is not true, or does not exist — even in the smallest possible way or to the smallest possible degree.

例句

Harper did not seem upset at all when Minh cancelled their dinner plans.

not ... at all with negative statement

Is there any chance at all that the train will arrive before dark?

any + noun + at all in questions

同義詞
  • in the least

    slightly more formal; used in the same negative and question patterns

  • whatsoever

    stronger emphasis, placed immediately after the noun it modifies ('no reason whatsoever')

  • anyway

    different meaning — 'anyway' means 'in any case' or 'regardless', not used for degree emphasis

反義詞
  • entirely

    positive opposite — 'entirely' means completely, used in affirmative statements

  • completely

    used in positive contexts where 'at all' would be ungrammatical

文法句型

not [verb] at all

no [noun] at all

any [noun] at all

if [clause] at all

用法筆記

Cannot be used in simple positive statements. For example, 'I like it at all' is incorrect — use 'I don't like it at all' or 'Do you like it at all?' instead. In informal speech, 'not at all' can function as a polite response to 'thank you'.

常見錯誤

❌She speaks English at all.
✅She does not speak English at all.
💡'at all' only appears in negative, question, or conditional sentences, not in straightforward positive statements.
❌I hardly don't know him at all.
✅I hardly know him at all.
💡'hardly' is already negative; adding 'don't' creates a double negative.