by golly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "by golly" is correct and can be used in written English.
It is an informal expression that is typically used to express surprise, emotion or emphasis. Example: "By golly, I can't believe it's already Friday!" (The speaker is expressing surprise or disbelief that the week has gone by so quickly) "By golly, that was the best concert I've ever been to!" (The speaker is expressing excitement and emphasis about the concert they just attended).

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Dead right, by golly!

The New Yorker

"By golly, they're still there".

The New York Times

By golly, what a life!

The Guardian

"By golly, yes," Rummy says.

The New York Times

"But, by golly, we did it.

The New Yorker

Well, by golly, they've done it!

The New York Times

"By golly, that's it!" he said.

The New Yorker

But circuses we have, by golly!

The Guardian - Opinion

"By golly, she comes," Heizer said quietly.

The New Yorker

The result was, "By golly, it does".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

And then, by golly, we do listen.

The New York Times - Arts

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "by golly" sparingly in formal writing. It's best suited for informal conversation, personal narratives, or when aiming for a folksy tone.

Common error

Avoid using "by golly" in professional documents or academic papers. Its informal nature can detract from the seriousness and credibility of your writing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "by golly" functions primarily as an interjection, expressing surprise, mild emphasis, or a folksy sentiment. Ludwig provides examples where it punctuates a statement with a touch of old-fashioned charm.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Formal & Business

5%

Science

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "by golly" is a grammatically correct and relatively common interjection used to express surprise, mild emphasis, or a touch of folksy charm. While Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, it's more suitable for informal settings and should be used sparingly in formal writing. Key sources include The New York Times and The New Yorker, indicating its presence in reputable media. Alternative expressions like "by gosh" or "good heavens" can be used depending on the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

by gosh

Similar mild expression of surprise or emphasis. Replaces "God" with "gosh" for a less offensive tone.

by George

Mild oath expressing surprise or approval. Functions similarly to "by golly" but with a different name.

goodness gracious

Mild expression of surprise or concern. Similar in tone to "by golly".

good heavens

Expression of surprise or shock. More formal than "by golly".

good grief

An exclamation of dismay, shock, or annoyance.

gee whiz

A mild expression of surprise, enthusiasm, or annoyance.

by jove

Archaic expression of surprise or emphasis. "Jove" is another name for Jupiter, a Roman god.

my stars

An exclamation of surprise or amazement.

well I never

Expression of surprise or disbelief. Implies astonishment at something unexpected.

heavens to Betsy

An exclamation of surprise, shock, or disbelief.

FAQs

How can I use "by golly" in a sentence?

You can use "by golly" to express surprise, mild excitement, or emphasis. For example: "By golly, that's a big fish!"

What's the origin of the phrase "by golly"?

It's a minced oath, a softened version of "by God", used to avoid direct profanity. It is considered a more socially acceptable expression.

Are there synonyms for "by golly" that fit different contexts?

Yes, depending on the situation, you could use alternatives like "by gosh", "by George", or "good heavens".

Is "by golly" considered old-fashioned?

While not as common as other expressions, "by golly" maintains a folksy charm and isn't strictly old-fashioned. It's recognizable and can add character to speech or writing, especially when aiming for a vintage or rural feel.