Level: High Beginning and Up
Pair with the Song: “Both Sides Now” (Joni Mitchell, 1967)
Recommended Videos: Emilia Jones’ audio-only performance from the 2021 movie Coda; Emilia Jones’ live performance at the 2022 British Academy of Film Awards; audio-only 2021 remastered recording of Joni Mitchell

The song “Both Sides Now” repeats the adverbial phrase “at all.” (“I really don’t know life at all.”) The expression “at all” is common in English, but somewhat difficult to define or explain; it is best clarified through examples. It is important to point out that the expression is used in negatives and in questions but not in affirmative statements:

Correct: They don’t speak any French at all.
Correct: Do they speak any French at all?
Incorrect: They speak French at all.

Permission is granted to reproduce the activity below for classroom use. For more activities to go with this song, please see the Lesson Plan.

at all, worksheet.pdf          at all, worksheet (webpage)

Preview:

“At All”

1. Read the sentences below.

He doesn’t drive at all.
They don’t speak Chinese at all.
She can’t eat peanuts at all because she’s allergic to them.

2. Now read about the expression “at all.”

The expression “at all” means “not even a little.” So…

If he doesn’t drive at all, he never drives, not even for one minute.
If they don’t speak Chinese at all, they speak no Chinese—not even one word.
If she can’t eat peanuts at all, she can’t eat even one peanut.

“At all” is used only in a negative or in a question.

3. Practice using the expression “at all.”

A. Read the list of foods below. These are the “most hated” foods in the United States. Some people don’t like them at all.

Most hated foods: brussels sprouts, raw onions, raisins, anchovies, blue cheese, cilantro, lima beans, liver, maple syrup, mushrooms, mayonnaise, olives, peas, sour cream, tuna fish, broccoli, oysters, cooked carrots

B. Think of a food that you don’t like at all. Complete the sentence below.

I don’t like _________________________________________ at all.

C. Share your sentence with the class.

Worksheet © 2023 Sandra Heyer. All rights reserved. Permission granted to reproduce for classroom use.
Photo: © cammeraydave. Reprinted with permission.