Cool MateMaybe not vs Not really
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Maybe not
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Not really
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
| Maybe not | Not really | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ˈmeɪbi nɒt//🇺🇸 //ˈmeɪbi nɑt// | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ˈrɪəli//🇺🇸 //nɑt ˈrɪəli// |
| Meaning | A way to express doubt or uncertainty about something. | Not true or correct. |
| Example | Do you think we should go to the party? | When he said he was an expert, I thought, 'Not really'. |
| Register | Informal | Informal |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | think maybe not, say maybe not, consider maybe not | not really my thing, not really sure, not really interested |
| Common mistakes | Using in formal writing where a stronger phrase is needed., Confusing with 'maybe' which indicates possibility without disagreement., Overusing in conversations, making replies sound indecisive. | Using it in very formal writing or speeches., Confusing with 'not really' as a definitive answer instead of an expression of doubt. |
| Usage notes | Use 'maybe not' when you're unsure or want to softly disagree. It's casual and often used in conversation. | Used to express disagreement or doubt. Common in casual conversations, but may be too informal for formal settings. |
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Frequently asked questions: Maybe not vs Not really
What's the difference between Maybe not and Not really?
Maybe not: A way to express doubt or uncertainty about something. Not really: Not true or correct.
Can you show an example of each?
Maybe not: Do you think we should go to the party? Not really: When he said he was an expert, I thought, 'Not really'.
Can I use Maybe not and Not really interchangeably?
Not always. Maybe not and Not really are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.