categorically

USAGE SUMMARY

"categorically" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the certainty or absoluteness of something. For example: "I can categorically state that the project has been a success."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Later, on Tuesday night, he said it was "categorically false and defamatory".

The Guardian

Pressley himself has a grievance with Neil Doncaster, the chief executive of the Scottish Premier League, and the clubs therein who categorically refuse to contemplate a meaningful expansion to the top division.

The Guardian - Sport

But Coombe is sceptical about Matheson's support, saying: "He may have to tow the party line because Labour have not categorically come out against fracking".

The Guardian

After details of the police investigation emerged, News Ltd published a statement by John Hartigan, chief executive and chairman of the group, "categorically denying" the allegations and O'Chee's version of events.

The Guardian

"We categorically deny our country and government bribed anyone to receive the right to host the 2010 World Cup," he said.

The Guardian - Sport

The education minister, Christopher Pyne, told 2GB: "I can tell you categorically that Malcolm Turnbull has not been ringing colleagues and canvassing for support because I asked him myself point-blank [today] and he told me it's not true".

The Guardian

Sturgeon, who took over as SNP leader and first minister of Scotland from Alex Salmond late last year, has categorically ruled out any pact with the Conservatives, while Nick Clegg has poured scorn on the idea of a rainbow coalition involving the SNP and the Liberal Democrats.

The Guardian

Cameron has not categorically ruled out giving Davis a job, and officials suggested the Tory leader would probably wait and see.

The Guardian

"The first time I read '71, I couldn't believe how visceral it was and how little it had in terms of dialogue and that was categorically the most exciting thing about it.

The Guardian - Film

India has categorically ruled out binding greenhouse gas cuts, arguing that rich nations caused the problem and must not deny Indians the opportunity to grow out of poverty.

The Guardian

The government of Bahrain again categorically denies the allegations against Sheikh Nasser.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "categorically" to strengthen denials or confirmations, leaving no room for doubt or misinterpretation. It adds significant weight to your statement.

Common error

Avoid using "categorically" in casual conversation; it's generally too formal and can sound unnatural. Save it for situations where you need to convey absolute certainty.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "categorically" functions primarily to emphasize the certainty or absoluteness of a statement. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage. It is used to reinforce denials, confirmations, or rejections, as seen in the examples where individuals or organizations "categorically deny" allegations or claims.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "categorically" is used to strongly and unambiguously affirm or deny something, primarily in formal contexts such as news reports and professional communications. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and effective for emphasizing certainty. When writing, use "categorically" to add weight to denials or confirmations, but avoid overusing it in casual conversations where it can sound unnatural. The most frequent sources using this term are news outlets like The Guardian and The Economist, which reflect its formal application.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unconditionally

Emphasizes the absence of conditions or limitations.

absolutely

Highlights the complete and total nature of something.

unequivocally

Stresses the lack of ambiguity or doubt.

definitely

Indicates a firm and certain affirmation.

flatly

Suggests a direct and firm denial or statement.

expressly

Focuses on clarity and explicitness in communication.

explicitly

Highlights detailed and unambiguous expression.

positively

Emphasizes a confident and affirmative assertion.

without reservation

Indicates complete agreement or support without any hesitation.

in no uncertain terms

Stresses the clarity and forcefulness of a statement.

FAQs

How can I use "categorically" in a sentence?

You can use "categorically" to emphasize the truth or falsehood of a statement, such as "I "categorically deny" those allegations" or "We "categorically reject" that proposal".

What's the difference between "categorically" and "absolutely"?

"Categorically" often implies a formal or official denial or affirmation, while "absolutely" is a more general term for expressing certainty. You might "categorically deny" an accusation, but "absolutely agree" with a friend's suggestion.

What are some alternatives to "categorically"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "absolutely", "unequivocally", or "definitely" to express certainty, although "categorically" carries a stronger sense of formality and finality.

Is it appropriate to use "categorically" in everyday conversation?

While grammatically correct, "categorically" is generally reserved for formal settings or situations where you want to make a very strong, definitive statement. In casual conversation, it might sound overly stiff or affected; consider using a more relaxed alternative like "definitely" or "absolutely".