really what it

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "really what it" is not correct and does not form a complete or usable expression in written English.
It appears to be a fragment and lacks context to convey a clear meaning. Example: "I don't think that's really what it is about."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

"That's really what it is.

The New York Times - Sports

That's really what it comes down to.

The New York Times

That's really what it was about".

The Guardian - Film

And I think that's really what it is.

The New York Times

That's really what it all comes down to.

Independent

But that's not really what it aims to do.

The Economist

"But, honestly," he said, "that's really what it takes".

The New York Times - Sports

This is really what it comes down to.

The Guardian - Books

"It's never really what it says it is.

The New York Times

Is that really what it sounds like: a miser's resentment at having given birth?

The New Yorker

The way it happened in the movie is really what it was like".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, avoid using "really what it"; instead, opt for more precise and grammatically sound phrases to maintain professionalism.

Common error

Avoid using "really what it" in academic papers or business reports; choose clearer and more formal expressions to maintain credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really what it" functions as an intensifier and focus marker, highlighting the core or essence of a statement. While Ludwig AI marks it as not correct, it appears frequently in speech and informal writing, as shown by Ludwig's examples. It aims to emphasize the true nature of something.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "really what it", while flagged by Ludwig AI as not entirely grammatically correct, is frequently used to emphasize the core essence of a statement. Its usage is most common in News & Media. While it is not considered appropriate for formal academic or professional writing, alternative expressions, such as "actually what it is" or "truly what it is", offer enhanced clarity and formality. Considering the context and audience is crucial in determining whether to use "really what it" or a more refined alternative.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

actually what it is

Replaces "really" with "actually", emphasizing truth or fact.

truly what it is

Substitutes "really" with "truly", highlighting sincerity or genuineness.

genuinely what it is

Replaces "really" with "genuinely", stressing authenticity.

essentially what it is

Emphasizes the fundamental nature of something.

basically what it is

Highlights the underlying or simple explanation.

fundamentally what it is

Focuses on the core or foundation of something.

at its core, what it is

Adds a phrase to explicitly indicate the most important aspect.

when you get down to it

Highlights the ultimate or essential point after stripping away complexities.

the heart of the matter

Uses an idiomatic expression to denote the central issue.

the long and short of it

Uses an idiomatic expression to indicate a concise summary or conclusion.

FAQs

What does "really what it" mean?

The phrase "really what it" is used to emphasize the true or essential nature of something, although it's not always grammatically precise. It often appears in informal speech and writing.

What are some alternatives to "really what it"?

You can use alternatives like "actually what it is", "truly what it is", or "essentially what it is" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "really what it is" in formal writing?

While commonly used, "really what it" is not ideal for formal writing. Opt for clearer and more precise alternatives to maintain a professional tone.

How can I use "really what it" in a sentence?

You might say, "That's "really what it comes down to"" to emphasize the core issue, but consider whether a more formal phrasing would be appropriate for your audience.