No, not really.

[diamondcutter]

SUZY: Do you know how to use a computer, Grandma?
GRANDMA: No, not really. Can you show us, please?

(Kid’s Box 4, CUP)

I wonder if Grandma means she knows nothing or doesn't know much about how to use a computer.

 

[teechar]

Grandma is saying that she does not know how to use a computer.

 

[Yankee]

SUZY: Do you know how to use a computer, Grandma?
GRANDMA: No, not really. Can you show us, please?

(Kid’s Box 4, CUP)

I wonder if Grandma means she knows nothing or doesn't know much about how to use a computer.

"
"Not really" in that response could mean "nothing" or "little" about using a computer. Suggest Suzy press Grandma for a more precise answer.

 

[teechar]

Suggest Suzy press Grandma for a more precise answer.

Is this kind of imperative structure common in AmE?

 

[Rover_KE]

"
Suggest Suzy press Grandma for a more precise answer.

Or do you mean 'I suggest Suzy press Grandma ...'?

 

[Tarheel]

Grandma could just as easily have said:

No, I don't know how to use a computer. Would you mind showing me?

("No, not really" is very common in American English.)

 

[Yankee]

Is this kind of imperative structure common in AmE?

Well, I don't know about "common", but occasionally the subject ("I") would be dropped.

 

[Yankee]

Yes. "I" was dropped intentionally and particularly with a term like "suggest"

 

[Rover_KE]

Please stop doing that. It can lead to confusion and students here expect teachers to write faultless English.

 

[Tdol]

Give Grandma a break- she may be trying to make it look like she knows a bit when she knows nothing. And she is willing to learn. :up:

 

[diamondcutter]

1. Can I say that in the context in #1, "not really" means "not in fact" or "not actually"?

2. And in the following context, can I say "not really" means "not very"?
--Is Tom tall?
--No, not really.

 

[tedmc]

I think using "not really" in speech is like an understatement, meant for the speaker to sound a little bit better than knowing nothing about a subject.

 

[teechar]

1. Can I say that in the context in #1, "not really" means "not in fact" or "not actually"?

2. And in the following context, can I say "not really" means "not very"?
--Is Tom tall?
--No, not really.

It's a gentle/polite way of saying "No". It softens its impact.

 

[teechar]

I think using "not really" in speech is like an understatement, meant for the speaker to sound a little bit better than knowing nothing about a subject.

Not really. See above.

 

[jutfrank]

My initial interpretation is that Grandma does know a little about computers.

 

[emsr2d2]

My initial interpretation is that Grandma does know a little about computers.

I agree. Despite her "No", the "not really" is more relevant. I would assume that she knows just a little about how to use one.

 

[diamondcutter]

Here’s my thinking about “not really” and I’d like to read your comment.

1.When “not really” modifies a verb, it means “not in fact”. For example,
--Do you know how to fly an airplane?
--No, not really.

2.When “not really” modifies an adjective, it means “not very”. For example,
--Are you hungry?
--No, not really.

 

[emsr2d2]

I disagree with the first interpretation. It's not the best choice of question though. In general, people can either fly a plane or they can't. It's a straight "Yes/No" question. If someone said "No, not really" to that question, I might think that they (like me) had perhaps had one flying lesson but not carried on. Even with one flying lesson under my belt, and a vague familiarity with the controls I was using that day, I would simply say "No" in answer to the question.

You're right that the question dictates what "really" means in the response.

1. Are you hungry?
No, not really.
(Not really - not particularly hungry; not enough to eat anything.)

2. Are you really going to Scotland on Tuesday?
No, not really! I was joking. I'm going to the Maldives!
(Not really - that's not the truth.)

Note that for "really" to be used in the response to 2, it has to be used in the question as well, as in the following example.

If I had heard the surprising news that my friend Mark had qualified as a pilot, the following dialogue might take place the next time I saw him:
Me: Can you really fly a plane?
Mark: No, not really! I just told Monica that because she kept saying I'd never done anything impressive.
Me: Ha ha! She fell for that one hook, line and sinker. She's been telling everyone about it!