are not really

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are not really" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a degree of uncertainty or to downplay a statement or characteristic. Example: "These results are not really what we expected from the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

They are not really Turks.

The New Yorker

And we are not, really.

The Guardian

People are not really interested.

The New York Times

They are not really villains.

The Guardian

They are not really relevant.

The Guardian - Music

They are not really scrolls.

The New York Times - Arts

But critical hedges are not really necessary.

The New York Times

Spies are not really like James Bond.

Independent

But they are not really purposeful.

The Economist

But black holes are not really black.

The Economist

"We are not really fighting Lebanese, anyway.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are not really" to soften a statement or express a nuanced disagreement, avoiding blunt or harsh tones.

Common error

Avoid excessive use of "are not really" in formal or academic writing, as it can weaken the impact of your statements. Opt for more precise and direct language to convey your meaning.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are not really" functions as a qualifier, softening a statement or expressing a degree of uncertainty or approximation. As Ludwig AI suggests, it's used to downplay a statement or characteristic.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "are not really" is a common and versatile expression used to qualify statements, express uncertainty, or soften disagreements. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread use, particularly in news and media contexts. While it's appropriate for neutral and informal writing, overuse should be avoided in formal or academic settings, where more precise language is preferred. Related phrases like "are not exactly" and "are not actually" offer similar nuances for expressing approximation or contrasting appearance with reality. To write successfully, use "are not really" to convey gentle disagreement or to soften a statement that may be potentially controversial.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are not exactly

Indicates a lack of precise correspondence; implies close but not perfect similarity.

are not actually

Emphasizes a contrast between appearance and reality.

are not truly

Highlights a deviation from an ideal or expected state.

are not genuinely

Questions the authenticity or sincerity of something.

are not quite

Suggests a slight incompleteness or deviation from a standard.

do not quite

Similar to "are not quite", but used with verbs to indicate an action that isn't fully performed.

are not entirely

Indicates that something is not completely the case, but may be partially true.

are not necessarily

Indicates that something is not always true or required.

aren't so much

Indicates something is less of one thing and more of another.

are not per se

Highlights that something is not inherently or intrinsically a certain way.

FAQs

How can I use "are not really" in a sentence?

Use "are not really" to express that something is not entirely or completely true, softening the statement. For example, "The rules "are not really" strict, but they should be followed."

What phrases are similar to "are not really"?

Similar phrases include "are not exactly", "are not actually", or "are not entirely", all indicating a degree of approximation or incomplete truth.

When is it appropriate to use "are not really"?

It's appropriate to use "are not really" when you want to soften a statement or express a nuanced disagreement. It's suitable in informal and neutral contexts, but less so in formal writing where precision is paramount.

What's the difference between "are not really" and "are not truly"?

"Are not really" suggests a practical deviation from a certain state, while "are not truly" implies a deviation from an ideal or authentic state. The choice depends on whether you're emphasizing practicality or authenticity.