Difficulty
| Low | Medium | High | |||
| A1 | A2 | B1 | B2 | C1 | C2 |
No thank you, I think I’ll pass.
Saying no is never easy but even though we don’t feel comfortable declining certain things, there are times when we need to say no. Here is a list of possible ways to say no:
|
I’m afraid not |
A polite way of saying no |
|
Not really |
You don’t care very much about something |
|
I don’t think so/Not as far as/I know/ Not to my knowledge/ Possibly not/ Probably not |
You think you know something but are not completely sure |
|
Certainly not/Definitely not |
To emphasize that your answer to a question or request is definitely no |
|
Of course not |
You think an idea is stupid or insulting |
|
No way/Not likely |
Informal: very definite way of saying no |
|
You must be joking/Are you kidding |
Shows that you think somebody’s suggestion or request is crazy |
|
Not exactly/Not quite |
You think that something is almost (but not) correct or true |
|
I wish I could |
Used to express regret that something is not possible |
|
Not especially/Not very (much) |
Used to say no to a question about your opinion of something |
How are you going to decline the next uncomfortable situation you face?
e.g.
Flight attendant: Can you fasten your seat belt please?
Passenger: I’m afraid not, it’s broken and I can’t fix it!
Flight attendant: OK Sir.
Look at the exercise below and choose the best way of saying no in English.
[watupro 20]