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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

really know him

I don't really know him.
I don't really watch TV.

What's the function of really here?
Thanks.
  

Top answer

"Really" with a negative often means "not to a great extent", "hardly at all", sometimes verging on "not at all". ) Alternatively "really" can mean "in truth". For example: "I was lying.

— Mr Wordy

  • "Really" with a negative often means "not to a great extent", "hardly at all", sometimes verging on "not at all".
  • ) Alternatively "really" can mean "in truth".
  • For example: "I was lying.
  • ")
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2 Answers
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"Really" with a negative often means "not to a great extent", "hardly at all", sometimes verging on "not at all". (I suppose this is just the negative of "really" meaning "to a great extent", although the positive versions of these sentences don't work well; for example, "I really watch TV" would be an odd way of saying "I watch a lot of TV".)

Alternatively "really" can mean "in truth". F
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