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I want to write a sentence such as this.

"No really, that is how it actually works."

I've searched online and found at least 4 different ways people punctuate "no really" in such a sentence:

  • No, really. That is ...
  • No really, that is ...
  • No, really, that is ...
  • No. Really. That is ...

Does it matter? And if so which one would be correct?

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  • 2
    Punctuation is often a matter of stylistic choice rather than 'rules'. Personally, I think you need some punctuation after 'no'.
    – Kate Bunting
    Commented May 28, 2022 at 7:26
  • 1
    You need a punctuation mark between "no" and "really". It could be a period, a comma, or a dash.
    – Peter Shor
    Commented May 28, 2022 at 11:58
  • 2
    This is strictly used in speech, not writing. Hence, punctuation is simply irrelevant.
    – John Lawler
    Commented May 28, 2022 at 19:37

1 Answer 1

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How are you using 'really'?

1. With the exclamatory addressee-directed pragmatic usage [Merriam-Webster; adjusted]:

b1 —used to emphasize a [following] assertion [especially a corrective, usually showing exasperation]

...

  • Really, you're being ridiculous!

Hence (the comma to show a discontinuity after 'No', optional in the 'Oh really' case, as 'Oh really!' is a fixed phrase):

  • "No, really! That is how it actually works."

...................... or ....................

  1. With one of the sentence-modifying (traditionally, sentence adverbial) usages Merriam-Webster; adjusted:

a2: in reality : [a deep analysis shows the truth to be]

  • things as they really are

  • [the fixed orbit model of the atom is really far too simplistic]

a3: truly, unquestionably [I kid you not] [a veridical pragmatic usage]

  • He looks like an idiot, he talks like an idiot, but don't let this fool you. He really is an idiot. [Groucho Marx]

  • 36 Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ 37 They were terrified and alarmed, and thought they were seeing a ghost. 38 ‘Why are you so disturbed?’ he said.... 39 Look at my hands and feet; it really is me, myself. Touch me and see! Ghosts don’t have flesh and bones like you can see I have.’ [Luke 24; NTE; Bible Gateway]

Either of these two usages need the 'really' to be attached to the matrix sentence;

  • "No. Really, that is how it actually works."

Usage a3 would be distinguished from a2 in speech by emphasising really is.

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