I really are

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I really are" is not correct in written English.
It is a grammatical error because "I" is a singular subject and should be paired with "am" instead of "are." Example: "I really am excited about the upcoming event."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

With Ariana Grande's Break Free (key lyric: "Now that I've become who I really are"), I didn't even realise the errors until very late!

The Guardian - Music

As I continue to sort out my feelings, I've left the fairy tale part of my romance far behind, and I find myself in the uncertain present, still under the spell of my first love and wondering if Alex and I really are meant to be.

The New York Times

There's a very Max Martin moment just after the word "about", where the chorus melody segues ever so slightly into"... you're the one that I ever needed", that slight grammatical wobble now a trait of Martin's songwriting (Ariana Grande's 2014 single Break Free features the line "now that I've become who I really are").

The Guardian - Music

Who knows, maybe my partner and I really are just lucky.

Huffington Post

Surrounded by the beauty and danger of the horizon I realize how small my problems and I really are.

Huffington Post

Evidence to support these claims include Sneddon joking about Jackson's greatest hits album being released on the same day as his arrest and sarcastically saying, "Like the sheriff and I really are into that kind of music".

Wikipedia

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

I really was stoned.

The New Yorker

"I really am late.

The New Yorker

"I really am serious".

The New York Times - Arts

I really am.

The New York Times

No, I really am.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Always pair the pronoun "I" with the verb "am" to ensure grammatical accuracy. For emphasis, consider using adverbs like "truly", "certainly", or "honestly" instead of "really", but always with the correct conjugation.

Common error

Avoid using "are" with the pronoun "I". This is a common grammatical error. Instead, use "am" to maintain proper subject-verb agreement. For example, say "I really am" instead of "I really are".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I really are" functions as an incorrect declarative statement. It attempts to express a state of being with emphasis, but it violates subject-verb agreement. As pointed out by Ludwig AI, the correct form is "I am."

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Wiki

15%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "I really are" is grammatically incorrect in standard English. As Ludwig AI explains, the correct conjugation requires using "am" with the pronoun "I", resulting in "I really am" or "I really was", depending on the tense. While examples of the incorrect phrase appear in various sources, including news and media outlets, its usage is still considered an error. To ensure clear and effective communication, it's best to use grammatically correct alternatives such as "I truly am" or "I honestly am".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I truly am

Emphasizes the truthfulness of the statement using 'truly' instead of 'really' and corrects the verb conjugation.

I actually am

Replaces 'really' with 'actually' to convey genuineness, while ensuring grammatical correctness.

I certainly am

Uses 'certainly' to express conviction and maintains correct grammar.

I indeed am

Emphasizes the affirmation with 'indeed', adhering to proper grammatical structure.

I honestly am

Expresses sincerity using 'honestly' while correcting the grammatical error.

I seriously am

Conveys the importance of the statement with 'seriously', conjugated correctly.

I sincerely am

Uses 'sincerely' to indicate genuineness and applies the correct verb form.

I really was

Changes the tense to past to align with a past state or condition.

That's really me

Focuses on identity rather than a state of being, completely restructuring the phrase.

It is really me

Highlights personal identification with correct grammar.

FAQs

What's the correct way to use "really" with "I"?

The correct way is to say "I really am" or "I really was", depending on the intended tense. The verb "to be" must agree with the subject pronoun "I".

What can I say instead of "I really are"?

You can use alternatives like "I truly am", "I certainly am", or "I honestly am" depending on the context.

Is "I really are" ever grammatically correct?

No, "I really are" is not grammatically correct in standard English. The correct form is always "I am" or "I was".

What's the difference between "I really am" and "I really are"?

"I really am" is grammatically correct and emphasizes a current state or feeling. "I really are" is grammatically incorrect due to the mismatch between the singular subject "I" and the plural verb "are".