Absolutely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Absolutely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong agreement or affirmation in response to a statement or question. Example: "Do you think we should proceed with the project? Absolutely, I believe it's a great opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It is really important for the party that it is not defensive about the past but is absolutely honest and clear-eyed and faces up to the truth of what people are saying".

The Guardian

Absolutely terrified".

The Guardian

That is something he absolutely believed in.

The Guardian

While widely shared, this was an assumption that made absolutely no sense in the case of subprime C.D.O.s.

The Economist

Technically, it should be absolutely impossible for two cars to enter the same block, which is down to sensors run by a computer.

The Guardian

"It was absolutely devastating.

The New York Times

I don't like to spread panic unless I absolutely have to, but looking at Gove's pop-up initiatives, I think we ought be keeping our eye on the bubbles.

The Guardian

That they had him in a room and insulted him for three hours is absolutely unacceptable," said Stamatis Vassilaros, a doctor echoing a common refrain.

The Guardian

"While I deplore what happened this week, I absolutely deplore what happened... by the same token there can be no truck with drug trafficking," Abbott said in an interview on 2GB Friday.

The Guardian

The president absolutely... believes that we all need to set aside other objectives and focus on the objective of helping the American people.

The Guardian

On the surface, this might seem as if it has absolutely zero relevance to the average American, who is more worried about whether he's going to outlive his nest egg than whether he'll leave a "legacy" for his children.

The Guardian - Money

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "Absolutely" to convey strong agreement or affirmation, ensuring your tone matches the context. Overuse can diminish its impact, so vary your language with synonyms like "certainly" or "definitely" for nuanced expression.

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "Absolutely" in your writing or speech. While it effectively conveys strong agreement, overuse can make your communication sound repetitive or insincere. Mix in synonyms like "certainly", "definitely", or "without a doubt" to maintain a natural and engaging tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "Absolutely" is to serve as an adverb, modifying a verb or adjective to intensify its meaning. It also functions as an interjection, expressing strong agreement or affirmation. Ludwig examples confirm its versatility in expressing emphasis.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the term "Absolutely" functions primarily as an adverb and interjection, used to express strong agreement, affirmation, or certainty. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and very common across various contexts, especially in news and media. To enhance your writing, use "Absolutely" judiciously, varying your language with synonyms like "certainly" or "definitely" to maintain a natural and engaging tone. Avoid overuse to ensure its impact remains effective.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Without a doubt

Emphasizes the lack of uncertainty, similar to "Absolutely" but focuses on the absence of doubt.

Certainly

Indicates a firm affirmative, similar to "Absolutely" but slightly more formal.

Definitely

Expresses a clear and unequivocal yes, close in meaning to "Absolutely" but less emphatic.

Positively

Affirms something strongly and without question, similar to "Absolutely" in its decisiveness.

Indeed

Confirms a previous statement, close to "Absolutely" but often used in response to a question or assertion.

Precisely

Indicates exactness and agreement, similar to "Absolutely" when agreeing with a specific point.

Of course

Implies that something is obvious or expected, similar to "Absolutely" in expressing agreement.

By all means

Gives enthusiastic permission or agreement, similar to "Absolutely" in its affirmative nature.

Undoubtedly

Expresses certainty and lack of doubt, similar to "Absolutely" but with a stronger emphasis on conviction.

For sure

Informal way of expressing certainty or agreement, sharing the affirmative sense of "Absolutely".

FAQs

How can I use "Absolutely" in a sentence?

"Absolutely" can be used to express strong agreement or affirmation, such as responding "Absolutely!" to a request, or indicating certainty, like "I am "absolutely certain" about my decision."

What words can I use instead of "Absolutely" to show agreement?

Alternatives to "Absolutely" include "certainly", "definitely", "indeed", "without a doubt", or "positively", depending on the context and level of emphasis you wish to convey.

Is it correct to use "Absolutely" at the beginning of a sentence?

Yes, "Absolutely" is often used at the beginning of a sentence, especially as an interjection to express strong agreement or affirmation. For example, "Absolutely, I agree with your proposal."

What is the difference between "Absolutely" and "Completely"?

"Absolutely" is typically used to express strong agreement or certainty, while "Completely" indicates a state of being total or whole. You might say "Absolutely, I'll help you", but "The project is "completely finished"".