I was seriously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I was seriously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the seriousness of a statement or situation, often followed by an adjective or a verb. Example: "I was seriously considering moving to another city for a new job opportunity."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"I was seriously involved".

The New Yorker

I was seriously ill.

The Guardian - Opinion

I was seriously considering dropping out.

The New York Times

I was seriously winded within two minutes.

The New Yorker

Because I was seriously angry.

The Guardian

Zed Bias I was seriously impressed.

The Guardian - Music

"I was seriously thinking of having a sex-change operation.

The New York Times

I was seriously trying to find a suit that fit.

The New York Times

The truth was I was seriously considering keeping it.

The New Yorker

I was seriously overweight and needed gastric bypass surgery.

The New York Times

I didn't feel like I was seriously injured.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I was seriously" to emphasize the weight or importance of a subsequent feeling, thought, or action. It adds a level of gravity to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "I was seriously" too frequently in your writing, as it can lose its impact and make your tone seem repetitive. Opt for synonyms or more descriptive language to add variety and maintain emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I was seriously" functions as an intensifier, emphasizing the degree to which the speaker experienced a particular state, emotion, or considered an action. As Ludwig shows, this is most often used to add emphasis to a verb or adjective that follows. Ludwig AI confirms this is correct and usable in written English.

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 phrase "I was seriously" is a grammatically correct and frequently used intensifier to add emphasis to a subsequent statement. Primarily found in news and media sources, as indicated by Ludwig, this phrase effectively conveys the significance of a feeling, thought, or action. While versatile, overuse should be avoided to maintain its impact. Equivalent alternatives as per the analysis, included "I was genuinely" and "I was truly", provide options to diversify writing while retaining the intended emphasis. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is readily usable in English writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I was genuinely

Replaces "seriously" with "genuinely", indicating sincerity or authenticity.

I was truly

Replaces "seriously" with "truly", emphasizing the honesty of the feeling.

I was really

Replaces "seriously" with "really", a more informal way to express intensity.

I strongly

Replaces "was seriously" with "strongly", focusing on the strength of the subsequent action or feeling.

I deeply

Replaces "seriously" with "deeply", suggesting a profound level of feeling.

I earnestly

Replaces "seriously" with "earnestly", conveying sincerity and effort.

I was in earnest

Expresses that one was not joking or being frivolous, indicating a sincere state.

I was extremely

Replaces "seriously" with "extremely", to demonstrate a great extent or degree.

I was considerably

Replaces "seriously" with "considerably", suggesting a notable degree or extent.

I was intensely

Replaces "seriously" with "intensely", to denote a high degree of emotion or activity.

FAQs

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

Use "I was seriously" to emphasize a feeling, thought, or action. For example, "I was seriously considering a career change" or "I was seriously worried about the outcome".

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

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

When is it appropriate to use "I was seriously"?

It's appropriate to use "I was seriously" when you want to emphasize the gravity or intensity of a situation or feeling. It's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, though consider your audience.

Is there a difference between "I was seriously" and "I am seriously"?

"I was seriously" refers to a past feeling or action, while "I am seriously" refers to a present one. For example, "I was seriously considering the offer last week" (past) versus "I am seriously considering the offer now" (present).