I was literally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was literally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is true in a very real or exact sense, often in contrast to figurative language. Example: "I was literally shaking with excitement when I heard the news."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I was literally crying.

The New York Times

I was literally in tears.

The New York Times

I was literally developing asthma".

The New York Times

"I was literally infatuated with the man".

The New Yorker

"I was literally dying," Tombler-Gimpel said.

The New Yorker

I was literally 47 weeks pregnant.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"At that time I was literally exploding.

The Guardian - Film

I was literally sick to my stomach.

The New York Times

I was literally sick with happiness.

The Guardian - Film

"I was literally killing myself," she said.

The New York Times

I was literally suffering for my art.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was literally" to emphasize a genuine state or experience, avoiding overuse to maintain impact. Ensure the situation you describe is not figurative when using "literally".

Common error

Avoid using "I was literally" when describing non-literal scenarios. For example, instead of "I was literally dying of embarrassment", which is figurative, opt for "I was extremely embarrassed".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was literally" serves as an intensifier, emphasizing the truth or accuracy of the statement that follows. It aims to convey that the speaker's experience was not figurative but factual. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s a common and grammatically correct expression.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

83%

Wiki

5%

Lifestyle

3%

Less common in

Books

2%

Tech

1%

Sports

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I was literally" is a common and grammatically sound way to emphasize the truthfulness of a statement, as supported by Ludwig AI. Predominantly found in news and media, this phrase serves to prevent misinterpretations by underscoring that an experience was genuine and not exaggerated. It's important to wield this phrase thoughtfully, reserving it for situations that are, in fact, literal, to avoid diluting its impact. Alternatives such as "I was actually" and "I was genuinely" can provide similar emphasis while avoiding potential misuse in non-literal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was actually

Substitutes "literally" with "actually", indicating that something is true or factual.

I was genuinely

Replaces "literally" with "genuinely", softening the emphasis on exactness and highlighting sincerity.

I was truly

Replaces "literally" with "truly", emphasizing the genuine nature of the statement.

I really was

Inverts the structure to "really was", offering a slightly less formal emphasis.

I certainly was

Replaces "literally" with "certainly", conveying a sense of assuredness.

I definitely was

Uses "definitely" in place of "literally" to express confidence and certainty.

I emphatically was

Uses "emphatically" to replace "literally", increasing the forcefulness of the assertion.

I most assuredly was

Replaces "literally" with "most assuredly", adding a formal tone and emphasis.

I unequivocally was

Replaces "literally" with "unequivocally", emphasizing the absence of doubt.

I veritably was

Substitutes "literally" with "veritably", providing a more archaic and emphatic tone.

FAQs

How can I use "I was literally" in a sentence?

Use "I was literally" to emphasize the truth of a statement. For example, "I was literally shaking with fear" indicates genuine physical shaking.

What can I say instead of "I was literally"?

You can use alternatives like "I was actually", "I was genuinely", or "I was truly" depending on the context.

Is it correct to use "literally" to emphasize a point even if it's not entirely factual?

While some use "literally" for emphasis, it's more accurate to use alternatives like "really", "virtually", or "practically" when describing a situation that is not entirely factual.

What's the difference between "I was literally" and "I was virtually"?

"I was literally" indicates something is factual and true, while "I was virtually" implies something is nearly or almost true, but not entirely so.