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Wangqh2696122 Posted 15 years ago
Grammar

What's the difference between "Not likely" and "No way"?

--Could we put off the meeting?
--____,This is the only day everyone is available.

A. Not likely B. Not exactly C. Not really D.No way

What's the difference between "Not likely" and "No way"? For this question, I feel A, C, D are all correct. Do you think so?
  

Top answer

'No way' is casual English. 'Not really' is too tentative for this situation. 'Not likely' (idiomatically meaning 'Certainly not') is the best answer.

— Mister Micawber

  • 'No way' is casual English.
  • 'Not really' is too tentative for this situation.
  • 'Not likely' (idiomatically meaning 'Certainly not') is the best answer.
  • However, I agree that the answer choices were poorly made and that all 3 answers are possible.
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5 Answers
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'No way' is casual English. 'Not really' is too tentative for this situation. 'Not likely' (idiomatically meaning 'Certainly not') is the best answer. However, I agree that the answer choices were poorly made and that all 3 answers are possible.
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Not likely -> Doesn't have a high probability (still possible, but with a very small chance of it happening)

No way -> Zero percent chance

Not really -> Your perception is off the mark (needs correction)

"____, This is the only day everyone is available."

Only is the key word - so "No way" is the ONLY answer.
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hi there Emotion: tongue tied

so what should I say:

- Me? No way.

-
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There is a difference of opinion. To me 'Not likely!' more often means 'Certainly not!' than 'Probably not!', so you could say either, with 'No way!' being more casual.
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