awfully

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awfully" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used as an adverb to intensify an adjective, often conveying a sense of something being very bad or unpleasant, but can also be used informally to mean "very" in a positive context. Example: "The weather was awfully cold last night, making it difficult to sleep."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"The field is awfully crowded, with a lot of heavyweights".

The Guardian

It struck me as an awfully alpha-male gesture.

The Guardian

The problem with freedom is that it can be awfully lonely.

The Guardian - Tech

"We're living longer, healthier lives than any previous generation but, curiously, worrying about ageing younger," writes Anne Karpf, writer, sociologist and author of How to Age. "This means that we are going to be worried for an awfully long time".

The Guardian - Opinion

But then, it gets awfully complicated – and personal.

The Guardian - Sport

People are awfully quick to condemn these days and awfully keen on public humiliation.

The Guardian - Opinion

But insiders have observed that the singer seemed awfully certain that Helt would have a chance to make his speech.

The Guardian - Music

"I get awfully frustrated with people of my generation who won't engage with the web," she says.

The Guardian

But a week in football is an awfully long time, and fate has handed Hughes an unexpected lifeline – and maybe even a longer contract.

The Guardian - Sport

And for many of these new voters, Republican complaints about illegal immigration sound awfully like hostility to Latinos.

The Economist

This leaves plenty of room for disappointment and therefore for obstruction from the poorest countries if a broader deal looks likely.For the moment, an agreement still seems an awfully long way off.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully" to add emphasis, but be mindful of the context. In formal settings, consider more neutral alternatives like "very" or "extremely".

Common error

Avoid relying too heavily on "awfully" in academic or professional writing. While it's acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound less sophisticated. Opt for more precise and formal alternatives to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "awfully" is to act as an adverb, modifying adjectives or other adverbs to intensify their meaning. Ludwig confirms this usage, showing numerous examples where "awfully" amplifies the quality being described, such as "awfully crowded" or "awfully complicated".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Formal & Business

7%

Science

5%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awfully" functions as an adverb to intensify adjectives or other adverbs, serving to emphasize the degree of a particular quality. While grammatically correct and commonly used, as verified by Ludwig AI, it's essential to consider the context. In formal writing, substituting "awfully" with stronger, less ambiguous intensifiers can enhance clarity and sophistication. As evidenced by the prevalence of examples from news and media sources, "awfully" is a versatile term suitable for general communication, but writers should be mindful of its potential for informality in certain professional settings. Ludwig's analysis confirms its function and offers guidance on appropriate usage.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

terribly

Indicates a high degree of negativity or intensity, similar to "awfully" in negative contexts.

extremely

A general intensifier that can replace "awfully" in most contexts, denoting a high degree.

very

A common and versatile intensifier, less formal than "awfully" but serving a similar purpose.

incredibly

Emphasizes the surprising or remarkable nature of something, similar to "awfully" in exclamatory usage.

remarkably

Highlights the noteworthy or exceptional quality of something, akin to "awfully" when used to express surprise.

exceptionally

Indicates a deviation from the norm, similar to "awfully" when used to emphasize an unusual quality.

particularly

Singles out a specific aspect or quality, similar to "awfully" when emphasizing a particular characteristic.

decidedly

Conveys a sense of certainty or definiteness, similar to "awfully" when used to express a strong opinion.

exceedingly

A more formal synonym for extremely, suitable for contexts where "awfully" might seem too informal.

intensely

Highlights the strength or force of something, similar to "awfully" when used to emphasize a strong feeling or quality.

FAQs

How can I use "awfully" in a sentence?

"Awfully" is typically used as an adverb to intensify an adjective or another adverb. For example, "The weather is "awfully cold"" or "He plays the piano "awfully well"".

What words can I use instead of "awfully"?

Depending on the context, you can use words like "very", "extremely", "terribly", or "incredibly" as alternatives to "awfully".

Is it correct to use "awfully" in a positive context?

Yes, although "awfully" is often used to describe something negative, it can also be used informally to mean "very" in a positive context. For example, "She sings "awfully well"".

What's the difference between "awfully" and "terribly"?

Both "awfully" and "terribly" can be used as intensifiers, but "terribly" often carries a stronger negative connotation. "Awfully" can sometimes be used more neutrally or even positively, while "terribly" usually implies something is very bad.