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English grammar

Not in the least, by no means, whatsoever: emphatic negation

C1 · Advanced Saying no Questions 10

The rule

English strengthens a negative with fixed phrases. not … at all is the everyday one; not in the least and not in the slightest are stronger (I’m not in the least surprised); not remotely means not at all (not remotely interested). by no means / not by any means deny a claim firmly (It is by no means certain). no … whatsoever puts whatsoever after the noun (no evidence whatsoever, none whatsoever). not a single / not one stress zero (Not a single person came). nowhere near means far from enough. far from + adjective means not at all (far from easy), and anything but means definitely not (The trip was anything but relaxing). Idioms do the same job in speech: not sleep a wink, not have a clue. With all of these, keep one negative only: I have no idea whatsoever, not I don’t have no idea.

Pattern

not … at all · not in the least / slightest · not remotely · by no means · no + noun + whatsoever · none whatsoever · not a single / not one · nowhere near · far from + adjective · anything but + adjective · (one negative only)

Examples

  1. I’m not in the least surprised that he resigned.

  2. The result is by no means certain.

  3. There is no evidence whatsoever that the product works.

  4. The journey was anything but relaxing.

Common mistakes

  • Wrong: There is whatsoever no evidence.

    Right: There is no evidence whatsoever.

    whatsoever follows the noun.

  • Wrong: I’m not in the less worried.

    Right: I’m not in the least worried.

    The phrase is not in the least.

  • Wrong: It is by no mean easy.

    Right: It is by no means easy.

    The phrase is by no means.

Practice questions

Try each one yourself first, then open “Show answer” for the solution and the reason.

  1. 1Choose the correct sentence.

    1. There was no whatsoever reason to panic.
    2. There was no reason whatsoever to panic.
    3. There was whatsoever no reason to panic.
    4. There was no reason whatever so to panic.
    Show answer

    Answer: B There was no reason whatsoever to panic.

    no + noun + whatsoever.

  2. 2Choose the correct sentence.

    What does the sentence mean?

    The film was anything but boring.

    1. It was very interesting.
    2. It was extremely boring.
    3. It was boring in parts.
    4. It showed boring things.
    Show answer

    Answer: A It was very interesting.

    anything but = definitely not.

  3. 3Fill in the gap.

    I’m not in the _____ interested in football.

    1. slightly
    2. slight
    3. slightest
    4. lightest
    Show answer

    Answer: C I’m not in the slightest interested in football.

    not in the slightest = not at all.

  4. 4This sentence is wrong. Choose the fix.

    Not one single of the guests complained.

    1. Not one single guests complained.
    2. Not a single guest complained.
    3. Not single one guest complained.
    4. Not a one guest complained single.
    Show answer

    Answer: B Not a single guest complained.

    Not a single + singular noun.

  5. 5Change the sentence.

    Make the negative stronger.

    I am not worried.

    1. I am in the least not worried.
    2. I am not in the least worried.
    3. I am not in the less worried.
    4. I am not least in the worried.
    Show answer

    Answer: B I am not in the least worried.

    not in the least + adjective.

  6. 6Put the words in the right order.

    The battle is by no means over

    Show answer

    Answer: The battle is by no means over.

    by no means = certainly not.

  7. 7Choose the correct sentence.

    What does nowhere near mean here?

    We have nowhere near enough chairs for the guests.

    1. Far fewer than we need
    2. None at all nearby
    3. Just the right number
    4. Slightly too many
    Show answer

    Answer: A Far fewer than we need

    nowhere near enough = far too few.

  8. 8Choose the correct sentence.

    1. Not a single train left on time yesterday.
    2. Not a single trains left on time yesterday.
    3. A not single train left on time yesterday.
    4. Not single a train left on time yesterday.
    Show answer

    Answer: A Not a single train left on time yesterday.

    Not a single + singular noun.

  9. 9Fill in the gap.

    You are reassuring a nervous friend.

    It isn’t difficult _____ all, I promise.

    1. on
    2. for
    3. at
    4. in
    Show answer

    Answer: C It isn’t difficult at all, I promise.

    not … at all.

  10. 10Choose the correct sentence.

    Which is the strongest?

    Four ways to say the claim is untrue.

    1. The claim is partly untrue.
    2. There is not much truth in the claim.
    3. There is no truth whatsoever in the claim.
    4. The claim may not be entirely true.
    Show answer

    Answer: C There is no truth whatsoever in the claim.

    no … whatsoever = none at all.

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