absolutely very

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely very" is not correct and is generally not usable in written English.
It combines two intensifiers that are redundant, as both "absolutely" and "very" serve to amplify meaning. Example: "I am absolutely very excited about the upcoming event."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"They're absolutely very busy characters".

The New York Times

"It's absolutely very genuine," said Koukash.

The Guardian - Sport

"For the first time that I've been here, we have absolutely very little leverage," she said, sitting in an office that for seven years had been occupied by Representative Richard A. Gephardt of Missouri.

The New York Times

"It was not meant as a critical judgment – 'Oh, this is a great American novel' – but great as in expansive, and far reaching, and so in that sense, absolutely, very much, I think of myself, in positive and negative ways, as a very American writer".

The Guardian - Books

Asked whether Wonga could ever become a firm the Church would choose to invest in, Haste said: "I would be absolutely very happy to meet with the archbishop or anyone on his team to discuss those issues, to hear their concerns, to outline the programme of change we have at Wonga and where appropriate make changes as a result".

The Guardian - Business

"It's absolutely very genuine.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

"It was absolutely a very, very fine line to walk," he explained, as he sat with some of his fellow cast members in the lower lobby of the Lyceum Theater before a recent performance.

The New York Times

"She was an absolutely real, normal and very family-oriented girl".

Independent

"Absolutely!" a very pleased Mr. Campo answered.

The New York Times

He was absolutely charming, very patient and incredibly skilful.

The Guardian - Travel

"Absolutely a very good price for that car," said Shelby Myers, a value specialist for RM.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid using "absolutely very" in formal writing. Opt for single, strong intensifiers such as "extremely" or "completely" to maintain grammatical correctness and clarity.

Common error

Don't combine "absolutely" and "very" as they both function as intensifiers. This creates redundancy and weakens your writing. Choose one or the other, or better yet, a more descriptive adjective.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely very" functions as an intensifier, aiming to emphasize the degree of a quality or state. Ludwig AI indicates it's not considered correct in standard English due to the redundant nature of both words. However, some examples show its occurrence in spoken or informal contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "absolutely very" is generally considered grammatically incorrect due to its redundant use of two intensifiers. While examples can be found, particularly in news and media, it's advisable to opt for more grammatically sound alternatives such as "absolutely", "extremely", or "completely", as suggested by Ludwig AI. This ensures clarity and professionalism in writing. The analysis of Ludwig AI suggests that avoiding this phrase is best practice for maintaining effective communication. Although present in some sources, its usage is generally discouraged to maintain grammatical correctness and avoid redundancy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely

A single-word substitute that indicates a high degree.

definitely

Replaces both words to provide clear affirmation.

incredibly

Similar to 'extremely', but with a slightly different connotation.

absolutely

Omits "very", providing strong affirmation without redundancy.

certainly

A formal alternative for expressing certainty.

completely

Indicates totality or a full extent.

utterly

Expresses a complete or total degree.

undoubtedly

Expresses a high degree of certainty, removing ambiguity.

positively

Expresses a firm and definite affirmation.

without a doubt

Phrasal alternative expressing complete certainty.

FAQs

Is the phrase "absolutely very" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "absolutely very" is generally considered grammatically incorrect. Both "absolutely" and "very" are intensifiers, and using them together is redundant.

What are some alternatives to "absolutely very"?

You can use single intensifiers like "absolutely", "extremely", or "completely" to convey a similar meaning without the redundancy.

In what contexts might I encounter the phrase "absolutely very"?

While less common in formal writing, "absolutely very" may occasionally appear in informal speech or writing. However, it's advisable to use more grammatically sound alternatives to ensure clarity and professionalism.

How does using "absolutely very" affect the clarity of my writing?

Using "absolutely very" can weaken your writing by creating redundancy. Choosing a single, strong intensifier, or a more descriptive adjective, can enhance the clarity and impact of your message.