20 WAYS TO SAY NO IN ENGLISH
“Are you from Canada?”
“Nope.”
This is simply another informal way to say “no.”
“Do you like to read?”
“Nah.”
“Nah” is another informal way to say “no” – and we typically use it for replying to
questions about our preferences, opinions, or plans (not to questions about facts, like
“Are you from Canada?” or “Is the bank still open?”)
This word sounds a little bit like you don’t care – so I’d avoid it in situations where
someone is inviting you to something or asking if you like their work.
“Have you seen this movie?”
“Uh-uh / Mm-mm”
These sounds both mean “no.” Sometimes people use these when they’re distracted
and not completely paying attention to the person asking the question.
“Did you take out the trash?”
“Not yet.”
Replying “not yet” expresses that something is not true in the past or present, but
probably will be true in the future. So you’d say “not yet” if you haven’t taken out the
trash, but you will do it later.
“Are you taking any classes?”
“Not right now.”
This answer expresses that something is not true in the present, but maybe was true in
the past or will be true in the future. So if you took classes in the past but stopped, you
could say “not right now.” Or if you aren’t taking classes currently but plan to do so in
the future, you could also say “not right now.”
“Is the bank open on Sunday?”
“I don’t think so. / Probably not.”
These are ways to say “no” when you are not 100% certain.
It’s more common and natural to say “I don’t think so” instead of “I think not.”
“Do you want something to drink?”
“No thanks. / No thank you.”
These are both polite ways to say “no” when someone offers you something.
“Are you going to buy those $200 shoes?”
“No way! / Absolutely not!”
These express a STRONG no. The phrase “No way” is more informal.
“Want to come to our barbecue this weekend?”
“I’m afraid I can’t. / I wish I could, but… / Maybe another time.”
These are all polite ways to say “no” to an invitation.
“Want to go surfing with us?”
“I think I’ll pass. / It’s not really my thing. / I’d rather not.”
These are ways to say “no” when someone asks you to join an activity that you don’t
enjoy.
“Can you deliver the products tomorrow?”
“Unfortunately that’s not possible. / I’m afraid not.”
These are professional ways to express that you won’t be able to do what someone is
requesting.
“Have the customers been informed about the problem?”
“Not to my knowledge. / Not as far as I know.”
These expressions mean that according to what you currently know or are aware of, the
answer is “no.” It’s possible the answer is yes, but you don’t know it. “Not to my
knowledge” is more formal.
This is just a very small sample of the many ways we have to say “no” in English – there
are many, many more!