I really don't know vs I don't really know

Both phrases are correct, but they have slightly different meanings. 'I really don't know' emphasizes the speaker's strong feeling of not knowing, while 'I don't really know' suggests a lack of certainty or enthusiasm about knowing. The choice between them depends on the emphasis the speaker wants to convey.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 806 views

I really don't know

This phrase is correct and commonly used to emphasize a strong feeling of not knowing.

This phrase is used to emphasize the speaker's strong feeling of not knowing about something.

Examples:

I really don't know what to do in this situation.
She really doesn't know how to solve this problem.

Show examples from the web [+]

Thanks, but I really don't know anything.
I really don't know what to do.
I really don't know how you stand this either.
I really don't know why you guys are here.
I really don't know how.
And I really don't know what I feel.
I really don't know where to start, Dan.
I really don't know what to do with you.
I really don't know how we could've known.
I really don't know that much about you.
I really don't know what to say to you gentlemen.
I really don't know who she is, ma'am.
I really don't know where she is right now.
I really don't know how they can do that to us.
I really don't know how long it'll take to generate enough power.
I really don't know much about that.
I really don't know how this could happen.
I really don't know what she's doing.
Commander, I really don't know what...
I swear I really don't know, Vincent.

Alternatives:

I truly don't know
I honestly don't know

I don't really know

This phrase is correct and commonly used to express a lack of certainty or enthusiasm about knowing.

This phrase is used to express a lack of certainty or enthusiasm about knowing something.

Examples:

I don't really know if I can make it to the party.
He doesn't really know what to say in this situation.

Show examples from the web [+]

I don't really know what the truth is.
And I don't really know how to compare those units.
I don't really know where it's going.
So... I don't really know what I'm feeling.
I don't really know where it's going.
I don't really know what the military needs.
Okay, I don't really know how this works.
I don't really know if tonight's...
I don't really know how the corruption works.
I don't really know why he would mention that.
I don't really know that much about her.
I don't really know what happened.
I don't really know what came over me.
I don't really know why I'm alive.
I don't really know how those work.
I don't really know anything About where the new atrocities are.
I don't really know what you were expecting.
And I don't really know you, partner.
I don't really know if those hands are better...
Sorry, I don't really know her.

Alternatives:

I'm not sure
I'm not entirely certain

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I really don't know vs I don't really know