not really know

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "not really know" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing uncertainty or a lack of complete knowledge about something. Example: "I don't really know how to solve this problem, but I can try to find out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

They did not really know.

The New York Times

They claim they do not really know.

The New York Times

He did not really know Trenton.

The New York Times

"I did not really know lan Blair.

The Guardian

Indeed, they do not really know what the illness is.

The New York Times

Swimming fins are used for muscular training but we do not really know how fins affect muscular training.

Procedia Engineering

I repeat, I do not really know what it means.

The Washington Post

I do not really know how I became a writer.

The New York Times

Yogi knew Posada, but he did not really know him.

The New York Times - Sports

I did not really know what I was doing.

The New York Times

Mr. Shieber said Harvard did not really know what would come of the release.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not really know" to convey a nuanced lack of knowledge, implying some level of familiarity or awareness but not complete understanding. This is more subtle than a simple "don't know".

Common error

While useful, avoid overusing "not really know" in formal writing. Opt for more precise language when possible to convey specific levels of uncertainty or lack of information.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "not really know" functions as a hedge, softening the statement of a lack of knowledge. Ludwig AI explains that it's grammatically correct and commonly used. It serves to express uncertainty or incomplete understanding, rather than absolute ignorance.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Science

27%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Academia

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "not really know" is a common and grammatically sound way to express a lack of complete knowledge or understanding. According to Ludwig AI, its meaning is clear and well-understood. While versatile, it's most frequently used in news and media contexts. When writing, it's a good idea to use it to convey uncertainty in a nuanced way, implying some level of awareness without full comprehension. Be mindful of overusing it in formal contexts, where more precise language may be appropriate. Ultimately, "not really know" serves as a useful tool for conveying shades of uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

not really understand

Mirrors the original phrase with focus on comprehension rather than knowledge.

not entirely sure

Highlights uncertainty, suggesting a possibility of being incorrect or misinformed.

not fully understand

Indicates a partial lack of comprehension, suggesting a deeper level of confusion than simply not knowing.

do not quite grasp

Replaces "know" with "grasp", focusing on the inability to seize or fully understand a concept.

remain uncertain

Highlights ongoing uncertainty, suggesting that a definite conclusion has not been reached.

not completely aware

Emphasizes a lack of awareness, focusing on the absence of information rather than the inability to know.

have little idea

Emphasizes a minimal amount of understanding, conveying a sense of being relatively uninformed.

somewhat unaware

Suggests a mild degree of unawareness, implying that some information might be known, but not completely.

can't claim to know

Emphasizes a lack of authority or expertise, suggesting that one does not have the qualifications to know.

largely ignorant

Emphasizes a significant lack of knowledge, suggesting a broader gap in understanding.

FAQs

What does "not really know" imply compared to "don't know"?

"Not really know" suggests a nuanced lack of knowledge, implying some familiarity or awareness but not complete understanding. "Don't know" is a more direct and absolute statement of ignorance.

What are some alternatives to "not really know"?

You can use alternatives like "not entirely sure", "not fully understand", or "have little idea" depending on the context.

Is it acceptable to use "not really know" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "not really know" might be perceived as less formal. In formal writing, consider using more precise language to convey specific levels of uncertainty, such as "remain uncertain" or "cannot definitively state".

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

Use "not really know" when you want to express a partial lack of knowledge or understanding. It's suitable when you have some information but aren't entirely certain or informed.