not too seriously vs not so seriously

Both "not too seriously" and "not so seriously" are correct and commonly used phrases in English. They convey a similar meaning of not taking something seriously. The choice between the two depends on personal preference or the specific context in which they are used.

Last updated: April 01, 2024 • 591 views

not too seriously

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to indicate that something is not being taken seriously to a high degree.

This phrase is used to convey that a person is not taking a situation, task, or comment very seriously. It implies a moderate level of seriousness.

Examples:

He approached the game not too seriously, just looking to have some fun.
She took his criticism not too seriously and brushed it off.
I hope you're not taking my joke not too seriously.

Show examples from the web [+]

She's wounded, but not too seriously.
One can only hope that the Seychelles are not too seriously disadvantaged by this unseemly delay.
Not too seriously, just enough to get the hero thing going.
It seems to me that I did not take too seriously, my friend.
People tend not to take him too seriously.
The Committee also notes that some Member States do not take these initiatives too seriously.
And there's something kind of liberating about not taking it all too seriously.
You know, it's good not to take life too seriously.
I hope you won't take Christian too seriously.
Sometimes people take it too seriously.
There's such a thing as taking things too seriously.
Took his job as a lab assistant a little too seriously.
Never taken the legal side of it too seriously.
He took this socialism too seriously.
You take our discourses too seriously.
These things shouldn't be taken too seriously.
Don't take this affair too seriously.
Men have always taken it too seriously.
You are taking this far too seriously.
I've been taking life too seriously, that's why.

Alternatives:

not very seriously
not overly seriously
not extremely seriously
not excessively seriously
not too seriously at all

not so seriously

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English to convey a lack of seriousness in a situation.

This phrase is used to indicate that something is not being taken seriously. It implies a lower level of seriousness compared to "not too seriously."

Examples:

She approached the project not so seriously, and it showed in the final result.
He took her criticism not so seriously, which led to misunderstandings.
I hope you're not taking my advice not so seriously.

Show examples from the web [+]

He is not so seriously ill l don't trust that fellow
He is not so seriously ill
Enough as so not to take life so seriously.
Do not take my joke so seriously!
Just put your head down, do the work, and try not to take it so seriously.
In fact, there are still many countries that think they can escape this if they try to return to old times by saying that anything to do with the separation of infrastructures and services should not be taken so seriously.
I'm not - I'm not feeling so hot. Seriously.
Don't take it all so seriously, Jim.
Thank you for taking your work so seriously.
Never so seriously, until today.
Thank you for taking your role so seriously, Donald.
Don't take things so seriously.
You cops are taking yourselves so seriously.
Or even being taken so seriously.
Bev, you mustn't take it so seriously.
Look, we needn't take it so seriously.
You got to stop taking yourself so seriously.
No, because you're taking it so seriously.
What's funny is you taking this assignment so seriously.
Those two are taking it so seriously.

Alternatives:

not very seriously
not overly seriously
not extremely seriously
not excessively seriously
not so seriously at all

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not too seriously vs not so seriously