Not necessarily

[1255] I'm not so sure about that

🎲 With all due respect..
English Idioms
All Idioms

Explanation

  • A polite and relatively indirect way to express doubt, disagreement, or skepticism about a statement someone has made.
  • It avoids a direct I disagree or You're wrong.

Origin

  • Standard English phrase construction.
  • Reflects a conversational norm of softening disagreement to maintain politeness or avoid confrontation.

Synonyms & Related Expressions

  • I have my doubts.
  • I'm skeptical.
  • I don't know about that.
  • Hmm, possibly not.
  • Not necessarily. (Focuses more on logical connection)
  • Are you sure about that? (Puts the doubt back on the original speaker)

Alternatives

More Direct:

  • I disagree.
  • I doubt that.
  • That sounds wrong.

Informal/Colloquial:

  • Really? (Expresses surprise/doubt)
  • Dunno 'bout that. (Slangy contraction of don't know about that)
  • Is that right? (Can be skeptical)

Slang/Dismissive:

  • Yeah, right. (Often sarcastic, implying disbelief)
  • Pull the other one, it's got bells on. (UK slang, meaning 'I don't believe you')
  • No cap? (AAVE/internet slang asking for confirmation, implying slight doubt though often used just to seek emphasis) / Responding with Cap (Meaning 'that's a lie/exaggeration')

Situational Appropriateness

  • Very appropriate for most situations, from informal to formal.
  • It's polite and less confrontational than direct disagreement. Good for maintaining rapport.

Misunderstanding Warnings

  • It's a mild form of disagreement. Some direct communicators might prefer a clearer stance, but it's generally understood as expressing doubt.

Examples

  • Person A: This new strategy is guaranteed to work. Person B: I'm not so sure about that. There are still some risks.
  • Person A: He said he'd be here by 8:00. Person B: I'm not so sure about that. He's usually late.
  • Person A: Everyone loves pineapple on pizza! Person B: I'm not so sure about that.

Dialogue

Ali: I read online that drinking lemon water first thing cures everything!

Beth: Hmm, I'm not so sure about that. While hydration is good, 'cures everything' sounds like a huge exaggeration. There's probably no scientific evidence for that specific claim.

Ali: Really? Maybe I should look into it more before I start doing it then.

Social Media Examples

  • Reply to a comment: User A: This stock is going to the moon! User B: I'm not so sure about that, market looks volatile. #Investing
  • Twitter response: Claiming AI will take all jobs in 5 years? I'm not so sure about that. Automation creates new roles too. #AI #FutureOfWork
  • Chat: Friend: Let's just wing the presentation. Me: I'm not so sure about that, maybe we should prepare a little?

Response Patterns

  • Asking for reasons: Oh? Why do you say that? / What makes you unsure?
  • Defending the original statement: Well, the data seems to support it. / But he promised!
  • Acknowledging the doubt: Yeah, maybe you're right. / Okay, perhaps 'guaranteed' is too strong.

Common Follow-up Questions/Actions

  • The person expressing doubt usually explains their reasoning or the basis for their skepticism immediately after.
  • The conversation continues by exploring the doubts or alternative possibilities.

Conversation Starter

  • No. It's a response to a statement.

Intonation

  • Often said with a hesitant or thoughtful tone.
  • Stress can be on not or sure. I'm NOT so sure about that. or I'm not SO SURE about that.
  • Intonation might trail off slightly, indicating uncertainty.

Generation Differences

  • Commonly used by all generations.

Regional Variations

  • Standard and common in all major English-speaking regions.
Not necessarily
🎲 With all due respect..