Cool MateNot particularly vs Not really
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Not particularly
Top 3,000 (common)
Not really
InformalTop 2,000 (common)
Most formal: Not particularlyMost common: Not really
| Not particularly | Not really | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //nɒt pəˈtɪkjʊləli//🇺🇸 //nɑt pərˈtɪkjələrli// | 🇬🇧 //nɒt ˈrɪəli//🇺🇸 //nɑt ˈrɪəli// |
| Meaning | Not very or not in a special way. | Not true or correct. |
| Example | The movie was not particularly exciting. | When he said he was an expert, I thought, 'Not really'. |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 3,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| Collocations | not particularly interesting, not particularly difficult, not particularly concerned | not really my thing, not really sure, not really interested |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'not especially', which has a similar meaning., 'Particularly' is often misspelled or mispronounced. | Using it in very formal writing or speeches., Confusing with 'not really' as a definitive answer instead of an expression of doubt. |
| Usage notes | Used to express mild disagreement or indicate something is not strong or impressive. Common in everyday conversation but can be used in formal contexts too. | Used to express disagreement or doubt. Common in casual conversations, but may be too informal for formal settings. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Not particularly vs Not really
What's the difference between Not particularly and Not really?
Not particularly: Not very or not in a special way. Not really: Not true or correct.
Which is more formal: Not particularly and Not really?
Not particularly is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Not particularly and Not really?
Not really is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Not particularly: The movie was not particularly exciting. Not really: When he said he was an expert, I thought, 'Not really'.
Can I use Not particularly and Not really interchangeably?
Not always. Not particularly 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.