directly

USAGE SUMMARY

'directly' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when expressing an immediate or prompt action. For example, "She looked up directly into his eyes."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Ask yourself: if I were a Chinese spy, why wouldn't I have flown directly into Beijing?

The New York Times

"And the result, dutifully prepared, falls directly between the poles".

The New York Times

Chafee's candidacy seems targeted almost directly at Hillary Clinton and her foreign policy record – the Democratic equivalent of those conservative hawks who sought to enter the Republican primary solely to excoriate Rand Paul on the debate stage.

The Guardian

Economists generally agree that the key to addressing climate change is to raise the cost of burning fossil fuels, either directly, through a carbon tax, or indirectly, through a cap-and-trade program.

The Economist

While the decision disappointed some, particularly those trumpeting the charismatic claims of Yousafzai, the decision marks something of a return to the tradition of honouring work directly connected to disarmament, after the EU in 2012 and the even more controversial prize to Barack Obama in 2009.

The Guardian

Independent halls can also be booked directly by individual students or groups of friends.

The Guardian

In Britain, it looks set to begin a conversation which has been long overdue, addressing directly the question of what the surveillance agencies can and can't do.

The Guardian - Tech

Iran's foreign minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, also poured derision on the Republican letter in a statement expressing astonishment that members of Congress would seek to undermine a US administration by writing directly to a foreign power, and suggesting that the letter's authors had much to learn about international and even US law.

The Guardian

Directly across the street, until the 1980s, there was a café called A la bonne Santé (literally, "to your good health" – santé means health) where the newly freed men would toast their liberty before drinking themselves dead drunk.

The Guardian

George Osborne, the chancellor and first minister, has ensured his northern powerhouse plan has a slot, but the number of cities apart from Greater Manchester that will want to be run by a directly elected mayor is currently small.

The Guardian

Elsewhere in Australia, Sydney will soon open its planning decisions to the masses, with consultation apps for citizens to send feedback to the council directly from the sites of proposed developments.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "directly" to emphasize the lack of intermediaries or indirect methods. This clarifies that an action or effect is immediate and not influenced by other factors.

Common error

Avoid using "directly" simply as an intensifier when "very" or "really" would be more appropriate. "Directly" should indicate a lack of intermediaries, not merely strengthen an adjective.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "directly" primarily functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, specifying the manner or degree to which an action is performed or a quality is exhibited. As Ludwig AI confirms, this word is frequently used to express promptness and immediacy, as shown in Ludwig's provided examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "directly" functions as an adverb to denote immediacy, absence of intermediaries, or a straight path. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It's grammatically correct and commonly used, particularly in news and media. To maintain clarity, use "directly" to highlight the lack of detours or intervening steps, and avoid using it as a mere intensifier. Related terms like "immediately" and "straightaway" can offer similar meanings, contingent upon context. Ludwig's analysis and examples show you the path to using this word with confidence.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

immediately

Indicates a sense of instant timing, emphasizing promptness.

at once

Denotes an action happening without any delay.

instantly

Highlights the speed with which something occurs, similar to "immediately".

straight away

Implies a lack of delay, suggesting an action happens without hesitation.

without delay

Emphasizes the absence of any waiting period.

forthwith

Suggests immediate action, often in a formal or official context.

in no time

Indicates that something happens very quickly.

in a straight line

Refers to physical direction or path, contrasting with metaphorical or indirect routes.

point-blank

Stresses the direct and unambiguous nature of a statement or question.

squarely

Suggests a direct confrontation or facing something head-on.

FAQs

How can I use "directly" in a sentence?

You can use "directly" to indicate that something is done without any intermediaries or that it happens immediately. For example, "He went "directly to the store"" or "The sun shines "directly on the beach"".

What are some alternatives to using "directly"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "immediately", "instantly", "straightaway", or "without delay".

Is it correct to say "directly opposite"?

Yes, "directly opposite" is a correct and common phrase that means exactly across from something. It indicates a position that is facing something else with nothing in between. In Ludwig's examples you can see "directly across the street".

What's the difference between "directly" and "indirectly"?

"Directly" means without intervention or intermediary, while "indirectly" implies there are intervening steps or factors. For instance, "He was "directly involved"" versus "He was "indirectly affected"".