easily

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "easily" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe the simplicity or lack of difficulty in performing an action. Example: "She completed the project easily, finishing ahead of the deadline."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And the looming combination of tax increases and spending cuts looks easily large enough to push America back into recession.

The New York Times

That's an increase that the companies can easily tolerate, and it would make a significant difference in the lives of low-wage workers.

The Economist

Sleep came easily that night in our comfortable beds with Egyptian cotton sheets, two to an en-suite tent, lulled by the sound of the waves lapping on the beach below.

The Guardian - Travel

"If people are coughing and sneezing, you can easily catch the flu.

The Guardian

Orbán has already expressed his sympathy for "capitalism with Asian values"; if the European pressure on Orbán continues, we can easily imagine him sending a message to the east: 'We are defending Asia here!' Today's anti-immigrant populism has replaced direct barbarism with a barbarism that has a human face.

The Guardian

You see it in the physical infrastructure: all those new flyovers sprouting up around the city to enable the chauffeur driven classes to get about more easily, even while the commuter trains are still bursting; the crowded, chaotic public hospitals that get by while gleaming new private hospitals open up.

The Guardian

What happened next led to questions all the way to the top of the country, with the former Italian prime minister Giuliano Amato stating: "Without doubt some policemen went too hard and used their batons too easily on fans who were on the floor".

The Guardian - Sport

VPNs can be easily downloaded but check reviews for the best options.

The Guardian - Tech

It could easily be distracting but they've managed to put that to one side and focus on the job.

The Guardian - Sport

It's easily the most confident and coherent of this batch of pilots and, crucially, is killing it in customer response: it currently has an overall rating of 4.8 out of 5 stars.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Busby is on the brink of 60, a Scot whose considered, relentlessly specific use of words rides easily on wayward grammar.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "easily", ensure it accurately reflects the level of effort involved. Overusing it can diminish the impact of tasks that genuinely require significant effort.

Common error

Avoid using "easily" to describe scenarios that are clearly complex or challenging. This can create a sense of understatement or even sarcasm, undermining the intended message.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "easily" is as an adverb of manner. It modifies verbs to describe how an action is performed, indicating a lack of difficulty or effort. Examples from Ludwig show it modifying verbs such as "tolerate", "catch", and "download".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverb "easily" is a versatile term used to denote actions or states achieved without significant difficulty or effort. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and demonstrates its frequent appearance in diverse contexts, notably in news and media. While generally neutral in register, it's essential to use "easily" judiciously, avoiding exaggeration in complex scenarios. Alternatives such as "with ease" or "effortlessly" offer nuanced options to convey similar meanings. Remember to differentiate "easily" (adverb) from "easy" (adjective) to maintain grammatical precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with ease

Emphasizes the lack of effort or struggle in performing an action.

without difficulty

Directly states the absence of problems or challenges.

effortlessly

Highlights the apparent lack of effort required.

smoothly

Suggests a seamless and uninterrupted process.

readily

Implies a quick and willing action or response.

simply

Focuses on the straightforward nature of the action.

comfortably

Indicates a sense of ease and relaxation in the performance.

handily

Suggests convenience and efficiency.

conveniently

Highlights the advantageous or opportune nature of the situation.

uncomplicatedly

Emphasizes the lack of complexity or intricacy.

FAQs

How can I use "easily" in a sentence?

The word "easily" functions as an adverb to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, indicating something is done without difficulty. For example, "She "easily solved" the problem" or "He could "easily win" the race".

What are some alternatives to "easily"?

You can use alternatives such as "with ease", "without difficulty", or "effortlessly" depending on the nuance you want to convey. Each alternative highlights a slightly different aspect of simplicity or lack of effort.

Is it correct to say "easily done"?

Yes, "easily done" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase. It means something can be accomplished without much difficulty. For example, "The task was "easily done" in under an hour".

What's the difference between "easily" and "easy"?

"Easy" is an adjective that describes a noun (e.g., "an easy task"), while "easily" is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb (e.g., "easily completed task"). Ensure you use the correct form based on its function in the sentence.