longer really know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "longer really know" is not correct in English.
Did you mean "no longer really know"? You can use the corrected phrase when expressing a loss of knowledge or certainty about something that was previously known. Example: "After all these years, I no longer really know what I wanted to achieve in my career."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Let me warn the reader: I am by now in territory where I no longer really know what I'm doing.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

Lost in Showbiz confesses it no longer really knows what to do as the good ship X Factor lists ever more perilously in the water.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

2. You no longer (or never did) really know what you want.

Huffington Post

But to really know the longer-term effects will require a few years and a little hindsight.

Huffington Post

Woman: 'I can't sing her [health visitor's] praises enough, … she's always open to listen to anything really, and she will not be negative if, for instance, I've said, "I don't really know how much longer I can feed him" or whatever, and she'll just chat with you, you know, she won't sort of preach to you kind of thing.

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

'I don't really know anybody up here any longer.' Once, he lived here year round, but in old age he finds the winters too brutal.

The Guardian - Books

We really know.

The New Yorker

Do we really know anything?

The New Yorker

We cannot really know.

The Guardian - Sport

He didn't really know.

The New York Times - Health

Who could really know?

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always use "no longer really know" instead of "longer really know" to ensure grammatical correctness and clarity. The inclusion of "no" is crucial for conveying the intended meaning of a loss of knowledge.

Common error

Avoid omitting the word "no" when you intend to express a negative state of knowing. Saying "longer really know" incorrectly implies that time has somehow improved your knowing, rather than diminished it. Remember to use the correct form: "no longer really know".

Linguistic Context

The phrase is intended to function as a verb phrase indicating a loss of prior knowledge or certainty. Ludwig AI analysis suggests the uncorrected query is grammatically unsound, highlighting the necessity of the word 'no' to accurately convey the negative meaning.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

30%

Wiki

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

10%

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "longer really know" is grammatically incorrect. The proper way to express a loss of knowledge or understanding over time is to use "no longer really know". According to Ludwig AI, the inclusion of "no" is essential for conveying the negative meaning accurately. While infrequent, the phrase primarily appears in news, scientific, and informal contexts. For clearer communication, consider alternatives like ""no longer understand"" or ""have forgotten"" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

no longer really know

This is the corrected version of the phrase, adding 'no' to indicate a loss of previous knowledge.

don't really know anymore

This alternative uses "anymore" to emphasize the change in knowledge over time.

no longer understand

Replaces "know" with "understand" to focus on comprehension rather than simple awareness.

have lost touch with

Implies a gradual separation from the knowledge or understanding of a subject.

am no longer familiar with

Highlights a lack of current acquaintance or expertise.

can't claim to know anymore

Suggests a previous claim of knowledge that is no longer valid.

have forgotten

Emphasizes a complete loss of knowledge.

am out of touch with

Indicates a separation from current trends or knowledge.

am unaware of current

Focuses on a lack of present knowledge.

no longer comprehend

Similar to "no longer understand" but potentially implying a deeper level of understanding.

FAQs

What does it mean to say "no longer really know"?

It means that you once had a good understanding of something, but that you've forgotten or lost that understanding over time. The word "longer" implies a duration and the word "really" serves to emphasize the degree of certainty.

How can I use "no longer really know" in a sentence?

You can use it to express a change in your knowledge or understanding. For example, "I "no longer really know" what my career goals are after the company restructuring."

What's the difference between "I don't really know" and "I no longer really know"?

"I don't really know" suggests a current lack of knowledge about something. "I "no longer really know"" implies that you once knew but have since forgotten or become uncertain.

Are there alternatives to "I no longer really know"?

Yes, depending on the context, you could use phrases like "I "have forgotten"", "I "no longer understand"", or "I'm "out of touch with"".