by all means
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adverb:
- Definitely or certainly: Used to give strong permission or encouragement, emphasizing that something should definitely be done or is very welcome.
- Without fail: Used to express enthusiastic agreement or to grant permission in an unreserved way.
Usage Examples
Giving Permission or Encouragement: "May I borrow your book?" "By all means, take it.""If you want to try a different approach, by all means do so."
Expressing Enthusiastic Agreement: "Should we tell her the news?" "By all means, she needs to know.""By all means, call me if you have any questions."
Advanced Usage
"by all means": Often used at the beginning of a sentence to give a very positive and emphatic response to a request or suggestion. "By all means, let's proceed with the plan."
Used to introduce a strong affirmation or to emphasize that there is no objection. "If you think it will help, by all means go ahead."
Variants and Related Words
- By no means (Adverbial phrase): Not at all; certainly not. This is an antonymic phrase.
Synonyms
- Certainly: Without doubt; definitely.
- Absolutely: With no qualification, restriction, or limitation; totally.
- Of course: Used to give or emphasize agreement or permission.
- Definitely: Without doubt; certainly.
Related Phrases
- By any means: Using any method possible. (Note: This is a distinct phrase with a different meaning, related to method rather than permission.)
Idioms
- "By all means" itself functions as an idiomatic adverbial phrase. It is a fixed expression used for polite and emphatic affirmation.
Adverb
- definitely or certainly
- Visit us by all means