never really know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "never really know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or a lack of complete understanding about something. Example: "Even after all these years, I still never really know what he truly thinks about me."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

We'll never really know.

The Washington Post

We will never really know.

Independent

You never really know.

The New York Times - Sports

"I never really know what's going on".

The New York Times

But you never really know.

The New York Times - Arts

I never really know why.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

5 human-written examples

"You never really know nobody's intentions.

Los Angeles Times

That's one of those things we will never really know".

The New York Times - Sports

And you never really know who's working for the Taliban.

Vice

I'll never really know who he was.

Vice

"You never really know what the end result might be".

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "never really know", be mindful of the tone. It can sometimes sound passive, so consider adding context to show why the uncertainty exists, making the statement more informative.

Common error

While versatile, "never really know" can sound too informal for academic or highly professional contexts. In such cases, replace it with alternatives like "cannot definitively ascertain" or "remain uncertain about."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "never really know" functions as a hedge, softening statements and indicating uncertainty. It suggests a lack of complete information or understanding, similar to examples provided by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "never really know" is a common expression used to convey uncertainty or a lack of complete understanding. According to Ludwig, this phrase is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in News & Media. While versatile, it may be too informal for certain academic or professional contexts. It is important to consider the tone and context when using "never really know", and to be aware of alternative phrases that may be more appropriate in certain situations. Overall, "never really know" is a useful tool for expressing uncertainty, but should be used thoughtfully and with consideration for the intended audience and purpose.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

can't be entirely sure

Focuses on the lack of certainty rather than the lack of knowledge.

it's hard to tell for sure

Similar meaning but using a more informal tone.

remain uncertain about

Emphasizes the continuing state of uncertainty.

one can never be sure

General statement on the impossibility to be sure

unable to fully grasp

Emphasizes the inability to comprehend something completely.

it's difficult to be certain

Similar meaning but puts emphasis on the difficulty

hard to say definitively

Highlights the difficulty in making a conclusive statement.

we may never find out

Suggests that the truth will likely remain hidden.

difficult to ascertain

Focuses on the challenge of finding something out for certain.

it is unknowable

Highlights the impossibility of knowing the answer.

FAQs

How can I use "never really know" in a sentence?

The phrase "never really know" is used to express uncertainty or a lack of complete understanding. For example, "Even after all this time, I "never really know" what she's thinking."

What's the difference between "never really know" and "never truly understand"?

"Never really know" implies a lack of factual knowledge or certainty, while "never truly understand" suggests a deeper lack of comprehension. The best choice depends on whether you're missing information or insight.

Which is correct: "never really know" or "don't really know"?

Both "never really know" and "don't really know" are grammatically correct, but they have slightly different connotations. "Never really know" suggests a long-term or persistent uncertainty, whereas "don't really know" implies a more immediate lack of knowledge.

What can I say instead of "never really know"?

You can use alternatives such as "can't be entirely sure", "unable to fully grasp", or "it's hard to say definitively" depending on the specific context.