prepositions before home!

[dihen]

Originally Posted by RonBee

No, not really

You used "not really" again. What exactly doesn't "not really" in the context means? Does it mean that someone cannot be sure that something is never true but is very likely to be not true?

[Tdol]

In many language questions, there are exceptions, so 'not really' is a way of saying 'no' while admitting that there is a possibility that the form may occur very occasionally with some speakers. People will often hedge when giving answers because sometimes you find examples of a form, even if very obscure, so 'not really' carries the negative idea without saying that this is the case 100% of the time. So, yes, in language it is often hard to reply with absolute certainty about many things.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by dihen

You used "not really" again. What exactly doesn't "not really" in the context means? Does it mean that someone cannot be sure that something is never true but is very likely to be not true?

Additionally, "not really" is often used as a face-saving device, as a softer way of saying, "No". Using 'really' leaves open, as Tdol mentions, room for potential exceptions - even if there really aren't any exceptions, which is the case here, as RonBee points out. Native speakers wouldn't say 'go to home'.

Dialogue
A: Is it correct to say "go to home"... ?
B: No, (that's) not really (correct). <B is being polite>
C: In other words, 'go to home' is ungrammatical, yes.

All the best.

[RonBee]

Originally Posted by Casiopea

Additionally, "not really" is often used as a face-saving device, as a softer way of saying, "No". Using 'really' leaves open, as Tdol mentions, room for potential exceptions - even if there really aren't any exceptions, which is the case here, as RonBee points out. Native speakers wouldn't say 'go to home'.

Dialogue
A: Is it correct to say "go to home"... ?
B: No, (that's) not really (correct). <B is being polite>
C: In other words, 'go to home' is ungrammatical, yes.

All the best.

Excellent explanation (as usual)!

Yes, in this case B (that's RonBee) was being polite.


.

[Casiopea]

Originally Posted by RonBee

Excellent explanation (as usual)!

Yes, in this case B (that's RonBee) was being polite.

It's fab to read ya, RonBee. Haven't seen you in a while. Thanks for the kind words. Psst. Actually, ... I was quoting Mike's device.

[MikeNewYork]

Originally Posted by dihen

By "not really", do you mean that it's marginally acceptable to and not completely incorrect to say "to home"?

Sorry about the confusion. I said "not really" because the insertion of the word "my" makes it acceptable.