Firmly says

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Firmly says" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you want to convey that someone is expressing their opinion or statement with strong conviction or certainty. Example: "The scientist firmly says that climate change is a pressing issue that needs immediate attention."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

Asked if there are any parallels to be drawn with HP, Mr Hurd firmly says not.

The Economist

The firm's website firmly says it has a "strict definition" of value.

The Guardian - Business

At the end of the filming, Dieter firmly says that he is going back to Germany to run his own bakery, get married and raise a family.

The New Yorker

But the evidence now firmly says it does, and that there's little correlation between rising prices and actual supply and demand.

The Guardian - Opinion

I ask whether she would ever want one of the big public roles that exist for poets – the most prominent, of course, being Poet Laureate – and she firmly says no. "It's not something that would suit me, because I'm not really very public, and I prefer that.

The Guardian - Books

Though she encourages Bonita to forgive her own mother, Bonita firmly says it's Chamique who she's angry with.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

Joe firmly said, "There is now".

The New York Times - Sports

Marjorie, hugging him almost too firmly, said, "We're all in one car; you follow us.

The New Yorker

During several initial interviews, we asked about recording but, in each case, the respondents firmly said no.

Journal of Organization Design

While this number is debatable, I can firmly say there was a noticeable speed improvement.

TechCrunch

I can firmly say that.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "firmly says" when you want to emphasize the speaker's conviction or certainty in their statement. It adds a sense of authority or determination to their words.

Common error

Avoid using "firmly says" excessively in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "states" or "asserts" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Firmly says" functions as a reporting verb construction, indicating how a statement is delivered. It emphasizes the speaker's conviction and certainty. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is commonly used to show how someone delivers a statement.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Wiki

25%

Science

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Firmly says" is a grammatically correct and usable expression indicating that someone is stating something with strong conviction. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and the provided examples illustrate its use across various contexts, most commonly in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's best to use it judiciously in very formal contexts. Alternatives like "states emphatically" or "declares assertively" can offer similar meanings with slight nuances. Using "firmly says" effectively emphasizes the speaker's conviction, adding weight to their statements.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

States emphatically

Emphasizes the strength and clarity of the statement, focusing on the forceful expression.

Declares assertively

Highlights the confident and self-assured nature of the declaration.

Insists strongly

Focuses on the persistence and unwavering nature of the statement.

Affirms resolutely

Emphasizes the determined and unwavering nature of the affirmation.

Maintains steadfastly

Highlights the consistency and unwavering adherence to a particular belief or position.

Confirms decisively

Focuses on the conclusive and unambiguous nature of the confirmation.

Emphasizes strongly

Highlights the importance and forcefulness of the emphasis.

Asserts confidently

Emphasizes the self-assured and certain nature of the assertion.

Stresses unequivocally

Highlights the clear and unambiguous nature of the stress or emphasis.

Posits definitively

Focuses on the conclusive and authoritative nature of the proposition.

FAQs

How can I use "Firmly says" in a sentence?

Use "firmly says" to show someone is stating something with strong conviction. For example, "The expert "firmly says" that the data supports their hypothesis."

What are some alternatives to "Firmly says"?

Alternatives include "states emphatically", "declares assertively", or "insists strongly" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it okay to use "Firmly says" in academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "firmly says" might be perceived as less formal. Consider alternatives such as "asserts" or "maintains" for a more academic tone.

How does "Firmly says" differ from "Simply says"?

"Firmly says" implies a strong belief or conviction, while "Simply says" suggests a neutral or straightforward statement without any particular emphasis. The former adds a layer of certainty or determination.