boldly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'boldly' is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an adverb meaning in a brave manner, confidently or assertively. Example sentence: She boldly faced her toughest challenge yet.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But there is also opportunity in the new fluidity for all those aspiring third and fourth parties that are elbowing their way into the mainstream debate – from the Greens setting their sights on the Lib Dem votes to Ukip (doing the same to the Tories) and assorted nationalist aspirations, most boldly expressed by Alex Salmond.

The Guardian

This was Turner's 1838 painting of a gunship that fought boldly in the Battle of Trafalgar.

The Guardian - Film

But by boldly using the stereotypes that white society creates around black society, he transcends them to create real, multi-dimensional characters.

The Guardian - Books

Some talk boldly of "re-municipalising energy", with an eye on Hamburg, Germany's second city.

The Guardian

He boldly says the word socialism and sarcastically says the word utopia.

The Guardian - Opinion

The first poem of Iain's that I remember from high school was boldly titled "Memoirs" and written in the voice of a retired soldier – who may prefigure Zakalwe, the guilt-haunted hero of Use of Weapons.

The Guardian - Books

England, boldly chasing 205 for victory in 37 overs, mentally won the match a thousand times but finished deeply frustrated on 204 for five.

The Guardian - Sport

I'm more the pretentious Drake type: "To dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas".

The Guardian - Travel

Way back in 1993, when I was starting high school, a teacher of mine boldly predicted that learning to type was a waste of time because, by the time we left school, voice recognition would have replaced typing.

The Guardian - Opinion

In a memo the plan boldly declared its goal would be to convince "a majority of the American public" that "significant uncertainties exist in climate science".

The Guardian

After Australia's previous game, a 4-3 defeatoto Ecuador, I boldly stated that Ange Postecoglou had settled on a 4-2-3-1 4-2-3-1 4-2-3-1 4-2-3-1

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "boldly" to emphasize a sense of courage and confidence in actions, particularly when facing challenges or uncertainties. For example, "She "boldly" presented her innovative solution to the board."

Common error

Avoid using "boldly" in passive constructions. It's better to say "She "boldly" challenged the status quo" instead of "The status quo was "boldly" challenged by her" because the active voice highlights agency and impact.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "boldly" primarily functions to modify verbs, emphasizing the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates that the action is carried out with courage, confidence, or assertiveness. Examples from Ludwig illustrate its use in various contexts, such as "He boldly says the word socialism" or "England, boldly chasing 205 for victory".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "boldly" is a grammatically sound and frequently used adverb that conveys courage, confidence, or assertiveness in the performance of an action. As Ludwig AI accurately points out, it's suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although predominantly found in News & Media. Its versatility allows it to add emphasis and color to various descriptions. When seeking alternatives, consider "courageously", "bravely", or "fearlessly". Remember to avoid using "boldly" in passive voice constructions to maintain clarity and impact. The frequency of examples found by Ludwig indicates that "boldly" is a well-established part of the English lexicon, used across diverse domains to emphasize impactful actions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

courageously

Emphasizes bravery and willingness to face danger or pain.

bravely

Similar to "courageously", but can also imply acting with honor.

fearlessly

Highlights the absence of fear in the action.

confidently

Focuses on the assurance and self-belief behind the action.

assertively

Implies a strong and confident declaration or action.

resolutely

Indicates a firm and unwavering determination.

decisively

Focuses on making quick and firm decisions.

daringly

Suggests a willingness to take risks.

audaciously

Implies boldness that may be considered disrespectful or shocking.

valiantly

Suggests heroic or noble efforts in the face of adversity.

FAQs

How to use "boldly" in a sentence?

"Boldly" is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb, emphasizing courage or confidence. For example, "He "boldly" stepped forward to accept the challenge."

What can I say instead of "boldly"?

You can use alternatives like "courageously", "bravely", or "fearlessly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "boldly go" or "go boldly"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct, but "to boldly go" is popularized by Star Trek. The standard English word order is "to go boldly", with the adverb following the verb.

What's the difference between "boldly" and "confidently"?

"Boldly" emphasizes courage and a willingness to take risks, while "confidently" highlights self-assurance and a belief in one's abilities.