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Could you help me please?
I'd like to know about "generally" and "at all". As far as I know, they can have the same meaning, but "at all" is mostly used in negative sentences. What is the difference between "generally" and "at all"? When can I use each one of them?
Which one is correct? Why?
a) I don't like him at all
I generally don't like him
b) I like him at all
I generally like him
Thank you. I hope you understand what I mean.
Which one is correct? Why?
a) I don't like him at all
I generally don't like him
b) I like him at all
I generally like him
Thank you. I hope you understand what I mean.
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"(Not) at all" is definite. It has an absolute meaning. It's used in negative sentences and occasionally questions.
"I like him at all" is not correct.
"I don't like him at all" means you have absolutely no liking towards him.
"Generally" means "usually" or "normally". This means there are exceptions.
"I don't generally like him, but I'll make an exception for now."
"I generally like him but, due to his behaviour, not today."
"I like him at all" is not correct.
"I don't like him at all" means you have absolutely no liking towards him.
"Generally" means "usually" or "normally". This means there are exceptions.
"I don't generally like him, but I'll make an exception for now."
"I generally like him but, due to his behaviour, not today."
Hi,
They're not the same actually.
'at all' is very finite, very complete. It suggest 'in no way'.
So, in your sentence, "I don't like him in any way/at all."
'generally' is more open and it suggests, 'in most cases, but not all'.
So, in your sentence, "I usually/generally don't like him, but.." or "Most of the time/Generally, I don't like him. (Occasionally, he does something I can respect.)"
For the affirmative sentences, 'at all' would never be used. You could use totally, "I totally like him," or "I like everything about him."
You can, on the otherhand, use 'generally' because as I said, it is open (to interpretation) so "I generally like him" is equal to "I like him most of the time" suggesting that occasionally he does things that irritate or bother you but as a whole, you feel positively about him.
They're not the same actually.
'at all' is very finite, very complete. It suggest 'in no way'.
So, in your sentence, "I don't like him in any way/at all."
'generally' is more open and it suggests, 'in most cases, but not all'.
So, in your sentence, "I usually/generally don't like him, but.." or "Most of the time/Generally, I don't like him. (Occasionally, he does something I can respect.)"
For the affirmative sentences, 'at all' would never be used. You could use totally, "I totally like him," or "I like everything about him."
You can, on the otherhand, use 'generally' because as I said, it is open (to interpretation) so "I generally like him" is equal to "I like him most of the time" suggesting that occasionally he does things that irritate or bother you but as a whole, you feel positively about him.
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