but really not

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but really not" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a contradiction or to downplay a previous statement, often in a casual or informal context. Example: "I thought I was going to enjoy the movie, but really not; it was quite boring."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

"Lena liked to give the pious hausfrau eyes," Ms. Edgarian writes, "but, really, not so long ago she had been the family lark".

The New York Times - Books

But really, not big celebrities".

The New York Times

But really, not nearly as often as rageful people think.

The Washington Post

Interesting, but really not my prime concern, I thought.

The New York Times

Or many are shy in some circumstances, but really not in others.

Harvard Business Review

Maybe there might be room for a little something, but really not much.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

14 human-written examples

As if - as if - the supposedly unknowing recipient of this enforced generosity really believes that they'll be the first worker in the history of the world not to get an almost-funny-but-really-not-quite card and M&S cake on their birthday.

The Guardian - Money

Not really Santa Claus, but not really not.

The New York Times

But not really, not yet.

The New Yorker

"But it's really not.

The New York Times - Arts

"But they're really not.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "but really not" to introduce a subtle correction or clarification to a previous statement, softening potential disagreement or misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid using "but really not" in highly formal or academic writing, as it can sound too conversational. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives like "however" or "nevertheless" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but really not" functions as a contrastive conjunction, introducing a negation or qualification to a preceding statement. It serves to soften the impact of a disagreement or to subtly correct a potential misinterpretation. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Wiki

7%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but really not" is a common and grammatically sound conjunction phrase used to introduce a subtle correction or qualification to a previous statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is acceptable in most contexts but should be used cautiously in very formal writing. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources, serving to soften potential disagreements or misinterpretations by offering a more nuanced perspective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but not really

A more concise alternative to the query phrase, carrying a very similar meaning.

but actually no

Emphasizes a direct contradiction or negation of a prior expectation or statement.

but in fact not

Highlights a discrepancy between appearance and reality, focusing on the factual truth.

but in reality no

Draws a distinction between what might be perceived and what is genuinely the case.

but not truly

Underscores that something lacks authenticity or completeness.

but not genuinely

Suggests a lack of sincerity or realness in a situation or characteristic.

but not quite

Indicates that something falls short of a certain standard or expectation.

but not exactly

Specifies that something is close but not perfectly aligned with a description or condition.

but not entirely

Implies a partial rather than complete absence or negation.

but not completely

Similar to "but not entirely", suggesting that something is only partially true.

FAQs

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

You can use "but really not" to express a contradiction or to downplay a previous statement. For example, "I thought I would enjoy the book, "but really not"; it was quite boring".

What phrases are similar to "but really not"?

Alternatives include phrases such as "but actually no", "but in fact not", or "but not really".

Is it appropriate to use "but really not" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "but really not" is generally better suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "however" or "nevertheless".

What's the difference between "but really not" and "but not really"?

The phrases are very similar. "But not really" is slightly more concise, while ""but really not"" might add a touch more emphasis or a slightly more conversational tone.