awfully generous

USAGE SUMMARY

'awfully generous' is a correct phrase that can be used in both spoken and written English.
The phrase is used to describe an act of generosity that is especially generous or kind. For example, you might say, "Your offer to help me move was awfully generous."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

25/1 seems awfully generous, even for the second best golfer of his generation.

Huffington Post

The penalty award was awfully generous.

The Guardian - Sport

If this is George Steinbrenner's going-away gift for Joe Torre, then he is being awfully generous.

The New York Times - Sports

If he didn't save the world (he can't), it was awfully generous of him to airdrop this gorgeous, warm blanket on some people getting tired of standing out in the cold.

The New Yorker

A cap rate is a real estate industry cousin to an EBITDA yield, and 7.5% seems awfully generous given that industrial properties used to trade for cap rates as low as 5.2%.

Forbes

Verizon's new 4G data plan promotion sounds awfully generous, but CFO Fran Shammo said at an investors' conference yesterday that it's more than just a way to push 4G hardware during the holidays.

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

Fixed maternity leaves, even generous ones as you might find in a country like Canada, look awfully old-fashioned at a time like this.

Huffington Post

Awfully wrong".

The New York Times - Magazine

Awfully quick.

The New Yorker

Awfully good.

The New York Times - Sports

That looks awfully different.

Yale University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "awfully generous" when you want to emphasize the unexpected or surprisingly large extent of someone's generosity. It adds a touch of informal appreciation.

Common error

Avoid using "awfully generous" in highly formal or professional settings. Opt for more formal alternatives like "extremely generous" or "exceptionally kind" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awfully generous" functions as an intensifier (awfully) modifying an adjective (generous). It expresses a high degree of generosity, indicating that someone has been remarkably kind or giving. Ludwig AI confirms the correctness of this phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Academia

14%

Science

14%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awfully generous" is a grammatically correct phrase used to express sincere appreciation for an act of notable kindness. While versatile, it's best suited for neutral or slightly informal contexts. Ludwig AI analysis reveals that it is more common in News & Media and academia and less common in business and scientific texts. When aiming for formal tone, consider alternatives such as "extremely generous" or "exceptionally kind".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

extremely magnanimous

Replaces "awfully" with "extremely" and "generous" with "magnanimous", increasing formality.

incredibly charitable

Substitutes "generous" with "charitable", emphasizing the benevolent nature of the act.

exceptionally benevolent

Replaces both words with stronger synonyms, highlighting the kindness and goodwill involved.

remarkably openhanded

Uses "openhanded" instead of "generous", offering a different perspective on the giving nature.

extraordinarily liberal

Employs "liberal" to suggest a broad and unstinting generosity.

particularly bounteous

Utilizes "bounteous" to emphasize the abundance and lavishness of the generosity.

surprisingly unsparing

Focuses on the lack of restraint in giving, rather than the act itself.

uncommonly munificent

Presents a more formal and somewhat archaic alternative, stressing lavish generosity.

singularly philanthropic

Highlights the charitable and humanitarian aspect of the generosity.

immoderately kind

Shifts the focus to the kindness underlying the generous act, rather than the generosity itself.

FAQs

How can I use "awfully generous" in a sentence?

You can use "awfully generous" to describe a kind act, such as, "It was "awfully generous" of you to offer me your spare ticket."

What phrases are similar to "awfully generous"?

Alternatives include "extremely generous", "incredibly kind", or "exceptionally benevolent", depending on the context.

Is "awfully generous" formal or informal?

"Awfully generous" leans toward the informal side. For formal contexts, consider alternatives like "exceedingly generous" or "particularly munificent".

When is it appropriate to use "awfully generous"?

It's appropriate when expressing sincere appreciation in a casual setting. You might say, "That was "awfully generous" of you to pay for my meal!"