absolutely speaking

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely speaking" is not commonly used in written English and may sound awkward to some readers.
It can be used when emphasizing a point or making a statement that is considered to be true without any exceptions. Example: "Absolutely speaking, honesty is the best policy in all situations."

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

James' position, in fact, is that relations are not things "properly and absolutely speaking," but only "in a certain way according to a less proper way of speaking".

SEP

On one reading of this remark, Descartes is explicitly embracing the consequence of having defined knowledge wholly in terms of unshakable conviction: he's conceding that achieving the brand of knowledge he seeks is compatible with being — "absolutely speaking" — in error.

SEP

This is not the best of all possible worlds that God could create, absolutely speaking, but it is the best relative to the simplicity of his ways (Jolley 2004).

SEP

Cf. "Nothing is really solid or fluid, absolutely speaking, and everything has a certain degree of solidity or fluidity; which term we apply to a thing derives from the predominant appearance it presents to our senses" (SD 51/AG 1351/AG

SEP

On this view, S is not true or false absolutely speaking, but it may be true-relative-to-X and false-relative-to-Y (where X and Y refer to the moral codes of different societies).

SEP

Likewise, although it appears inconceivable that something material could generate something endowed with per se existence, it is not impossible absolutely speaking: if God can confer separate existence upon an accident despite the fact that accidents naturally inhere in their substrates then, in like manner, he can confer separate existence upon a soul, although it has a seminal reason in matter.

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

In moments when you feel like you are able to, absolutely speak up.

Huffington Post

I'm absolutely not speaking after David Attenborough.

Independent

This, absolutely strictly speaking, is not my own hangover cure.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Cautioning that it was too early to say with certainty what happened, Cox added: "I'm absolutely not speaking about the managers of this ride, but one of the generic problems that can happen is you end up trying to solve the problem and the problem may well be that one of these interlocks is being triggered prematurely and you try and solve it.

The Guardian

As medical procedures go, this one's not particularly challenging, except perhaps for the follow up, which requires three weeks of absolutely no speaking.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using “absolutely speaking,” ensure the context clarifies the perspective from which you are making the statement. This will help avoid ambiguity and strengthen your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely speaking" too frequently, as it can make your writing sound overly assertive or stilted. Consider using simpler alternatives like "definitely" or "certainly" to maintain a more natural tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely speaking" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a statement to indicate that it is true from a particular, often strict, perspective. Ludwig shows the phrase used in academic and news contexts to qualify statements.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

44%

News & Media

44%

Formal & Business

11%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "absolutely speaking" is an adverbial phrase used to emphasize a statement's truth from a specific perspective. Ludwig indicates that it's grammatically acceptable, though not very common, and more prevalent in scientific and news contexts. When using this phrase, ensure the context clarifies your perspective to avoid ambiguity. Remember that overuse can make your writing sound stilted. According to Ludwig AI, simpler alternatives like "strictly speaking" or "in absolute terms" may sometimes be more appropriate to use depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

strictly speaking

Indicates precision or adherence to a specific definition or rule, differing from a general assertion.

in absolute terms

Focuses on evaluating something without considering any relative factors, offering a detached perspective.

categorically speaking

Emphasizes a statement made without any doubt or condition, adding a sense of assertiveness.

from a purely absolute perspective

Highlights an objective and unbiased viewpoint, adding detachment and minimizing subjective elements.

without a doubt

Conveys certainty and conviction, omitting the element of perspective.

incontestably

Implies that something is beyond dispute or question, adding a formal tone.

definitely

Expresses a firm belief or intention, lacking the formal tone of the query.

positively

Indicates a strong affirmation or agreement, differing in connotation from the more formal query.

unquestionably

Implies that something is undoubtedly true, creating a level of formality.

assuredly

Expresses confidence and certainty, carrying a slightly more old-fashioned connotation.

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely speaking" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely speaking" to introduce a statement that you believe to be undeniably true from a specific viewpoint. For example, "Absolutely speaking, honesty is the best policy, even when it's difficult".

What does "absolutely speaking" mean?

"Absolutely speaking" means considering something from a definitive, unqualified perspective. It often implies that while there may be other considerations, from this specific viewpoint, something is undeniably true.

What are some alternatives to "absolutely speaking"?

Alternatives to "absolutely speaking" include "strictly speaking", "in absolute terms", or "categorically speaking". The best choice depends on the nuance you wish to convey.

When is it appropriate to use "absolutely speaking"?

It's appropriate to use "absolutely speaking" when you want to emphasize a statement as definitively true from a certain viewpoint, even if nuanced interpretations exist. Be mindful that it can sound somewhat formal or emphatic.