Meaning of 'at all': Is your father any better at all?

[Tung Quoc]

Dear teachers,

Please read: Is your father any better at all?

What is the meaning of “at all”?

Thanks
Quoc

[Alan]

Hi,

In your sentence at all means in any way.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Subjunctive

[Tung Quoc]

Dear teacher,

Please explain more in every detail. What does "in any way" mean?

In my dictionary, people also say "in any way" but I don't understand what it means.

Thanks
Quoc

[Alan]

Hi,

In any way/in the slightest/in the least bit/in the smallest way and so on.

Alan
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English as a Foreign Language
You can read my EFL story A spring in your step

[Tung Quoc]

Dear Sir,

Please read: Is your father any better in any way?

So, the author liked to know if the father of sb was any better, even in any way?

Is it right?

I think the idea "in any way" has expressed in the word "any". That means "any" = "in any way". (in this case)

So, do you think one of these 2 words ("any" and "in any way" is redundant(unnecessary) because they refer the same idea. If not, how to distinguish clearly the meaning btw "any" and "in any way"?)

Quoc

PS: Please write to me your explanation about the meaning of the sentence, including the best way to distinguis the meaning of "any" and the meaning of "in any way"

[Alan]

Again I have to say, please read my explanation.
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Word Story: Health