‘Really’ is a typical addition in a sentence that may sound ridiculous to your listener. It may also be used to exaggerate how intense or great something is.
Examples are seen in the sentences below;
‘The fruit parfait was really bad. I wonder who made it’
‘That game was really stupid’
‘Really’ may also come as a question or as an exclamation in response to a statement that may sound ridiculous or untrue.
For example, you can ask this question if an unexpected comment was made about you. The question may be because you have different opinions or because you find it impossible or exaggerating.
Below are 20 of the best responses to “oh really” in different situations and contexts
- That’s quite clear.
- I’m not sure.
- I just confirmed.
- That’s not even all.
- I’m not joking.
- Take it or leave it.
- You’ll be surprised.
- I’m kidding with you.
- Everyone already knows that
- Don’t mind me.
- Are you just getting to know?
- That’s a lie.
- What are you going to do about it?
- Yes… really.
- I don’t need you to believe me.
- You heard me right.
- I don’t believe it.
- Don’t ask me.
- Forget about it.
- Probably
That’s quite clear
When a person says ‘really’, it may be an exclamation to show that he or she is just realizing something. In response, you can say it is very clear.
This response implies that there is no explanation needed for anyone to understand and the show of surprise is also unnecessary since it should be obvious to everyone already.
I’m not sure
‘Really’ may come as a response to a statement you have made. That’s when this response makes sense.
You can say you are not sure if it is a statement you heard from somewhere or someone else and you haven’t confirmed it yet.
This response implies that you don’t know if it is a fact and you are only saying what you heard or what you thought.
Yes, it may also be you expressing your thoughts on something. You may be guessing how something is and ‘really’ is just a show that you might be right.
Yes. I just confirmed
Sometimes, what you are talking about may sound too good to be true or maybe even too bad to be true.
It may also just sound negative in a way no one desires. While there will be a part of the mind that panics, there will be a part that constantly doubts in fear that it just may be true.
You can respond by saying ‘Yes’ and proving that you have confirmed the information you just shared with the person you are talking to.
This could also be a mere joke, even though no part of this statement suggests it. You may have made a false statement as a ridiculous joke.
The person’s response is not a question of confirmation but a sarcastic statement of doubt. You can say you’ve confirmed it, just to keep the joke going.
That’s not even all
You have probably not said it all but there is already a wild reaction. What happens when you actually say it all? In this case, it’s not about saying it all.
This statement should only be used if there is something much more important for you to add. It doesn’t have to be just any random addition or else, it would be unnecessary.
‘Really’ may not be a question of confirmation. It may be an exclamation to something unbelievably great and it may show how disappointed or happy a person is to hear the information you just shared.
You can give this response if you’ve not shared all of the information and some of the information will still surprise the person you’re talking to.
I’m not joking
As mentioned earlier, ‘Really’ can be said as a question so you repeat the statement you just made. It may be an exclamation of surprise or shock over good or bad news.
It may also be used as a show of disbelief. It will sound like a question but the tone and the look on the face of the speaker will show that he or she does not believe the statement you just made.
The person may even laugh or smile in addition. If this happens, he or she has taken your statement as a joke. You can immediately call it out and say how serious you are.
After saying you are not joking, you can repeat the statement and show your proof if you have one.
If you don’t have proof, you can let it go unless it is an instruction and it is important for the person to work on it.
Take it or leave it
This response is only suitable in certain contexts. This may not be the first time you are hearing this statement.
This is something traders often say when they can’t give any discounts on a particular product.
You may be giving your price for a product or a service. If a person says ‘really’ in response to your price, it means he or she considers it ridiculous.
You may consider giving a discount or just convincing the person that the price is worth it. However, if you don’t see any hope of convincing the person, you can give this response.
This will show the person that there is no bargaining to be done.
You’ll be surprised
This simply means ‘it’s not over’ or ‘there’s more to come’. It could be interpreted in several more ways you may see fit.
The meaning of this statement in this context is there is more to be said and all you’ve said is not everything.
A person can exclaim ‘really’ to show surprise or disappointment towards what he or she is hearing from you.
If you respond with this, you are telling him or her that there is worse or better information that will warrant an even greater reaction.
I’m kidding with you
This will be a boring response if the person already thinks you are joking so you have to use this response wisely and enjoy the conversation.
If the person asks ‘really’, you can end the joke quickly with this or you can let it continue for a moment till the person actually reacts.
When the person shouts ‘really’ in actual joy or disappointment, then you can break his or her heart by exposing this joke with this response.
Everyone already knows that
‘Really’ can come up in a conversation at times you don’t expect. You may be talking about a rumor that has already been flying around for weeks with a friend and he or she responds with ‘really’.
Of course, you don’t expect this response since it’s a rumor and it has been around for a while already.
You can mention that everyone already knows what you are talking about. If the person doubts what you are saying, this response should prove it since you are directly saying anyone can prove it.
The person does not even have to ask anyone else before believing you.
Don’t mind me
You can tell the person not to mind you. This means that you are either joking or you are exaggerating. Whichever case it is, you should say so after responding with this statement.
You should be careful when you are saying certain jokes. You should also mind whom you say it to. There are certain things you don’t joke about.
If you say a joke that may spark a crazy reaction, it is always advisable to cut it off before it gets wild. However, if it is a simple information joke, you can let it last as long as you want.
Are you just getting to know that?
You can ask this question if you get ‘really’ as a response to a statement that should already be known by the person you are talking to.
As mentioned earlier, there are some cases where a rumor is flying around for a long time and some people still get shocked to hear them.
If the person reacts shocked or surprised, you can say this. You can also ask this question to convince someone who doesn’t believe what you are saying.
This may even be your way of convincing a person to fall for a joke. By saying this and keeping an expressionless face, you will be having a high chance of convincing the person.
That’s a lie
It’s probably weird to call out your own lie so quickly. This statement however is not suggested for your own lies or jokes. Rather, it should be another person’s lies.
You and your friend may be listening to another person speak. He or she may make claims or give certain information that sounds ridiculous and untrue to you.
You can express your disbelief or you can just keep it to yourself. If your friend exclaims ‘really’ in a way that shows sincere shock or surprise, you may want to eliminate the illusion immediately by saying it’s a lie.
What will you do about it?
This is perfect in a context that has not been discussed in this article. A person can say ‘really’ as a way of showing resistance to intimidation. It may also be said when a person is trying to Intimidate you.
You may be told by an intimidator to do or not do something. While resisting the intimidator, he or she may say ‘really’ to show disbelief towards your daring attitude. In response, you can ask what he or she will do about it.
Be careful when you respond with this question unless you are sure you can handle him or her.
Yes… really
You can also say this in response to your intimidator but, keep in mind, you have to be sure you won’t be harmed by him or her. This statement will definitely invite trouble.
You can also use this response when a person asks ‘really’ as a question of confirmation or as a show of disbelief.
I don’t need you to believe me
This sounds unfriendly but there are cases when you just don’t want to sound accommodating to the person you are talking to.
You may be passing information or instructions from another person. You don’t need anyone to believe you since you are just a middleman.
You may also just be talking to someone you don’t like.. or what you are talking about does not actually concern the person you are talking to.
You heard me right
When a person asks ‘really’, it is usually unnecessary. The person doesn’t actually doubt. Rather, it feels like he or she is hesitating to react, just in case you are joking about what you just said.
I don’t believe it
When a person asks or says ‘really’, it may not be a question you can answer. Though the response is to what you said earlier, it may not be your own words. If you don’t know whether something is true or not, you can say it.
You can also just say you don’t believe it. This shows you have not confirmed and you only heard from somewhere. You may add why you don’t believe it.
Don’t ask me
It may not be your own words and you may have made it clear already. ‘Really’ is almost the same as asking if something is true. Since it’s not your words, you may not know so you shouldn’t be asked.
Forget about it
This shows that the person’s reaction toward the issue is needless. If you have shared a piece of information that sounds slightly negative or disappointing, the person may react by asking if you are being honest.
This response suggests that the situation is not intense enough to warrant the reaction.
Probably
There is a slight contrast between ‘really’ and ‘probably’. When something is really happening, it is a fact. When something is probably happening, it may or may not happen
This response suggests that you don’t know whether the statement you made is true or not. While there isn’t any indication of falsehood, there is also nothing indicating that it is true.