enormously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "enormously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is very large in size, extent, or degree. Example: "The project was enormously successful, exceeding all our expectations."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The identification of Irishness with Catholicism gave the Catholic church enormous, and enormously corrupting, power.

The Guardian - Opinion

Senator Marco Rubio (Florida): Rubio was a relatively minor player in the shutdown theater, but he stands to benefit enormously from it as far as Tea Party support goes, as it has weakened the chances that the immigration debate will return to front-and-center.

The Guardian - Opinion

He began by patronising his readers and the people who pay his wages ("many Australians seem to have no idea what human rights are, and many certainly do not understand what free speech is") and then made this curious and revealing claim: Codes of conduct play an enormously important role in filling the gap between what is technically legal, and civilising and normalising behaviour.

The Guardian - Opinion

Hearing that it is an illness that can affect anyone is enormously helpful.

The Guardian - Opinion

The alleged misconduct, a chief constable of a major force leading an operation to fabricate serious charges, is enormously disturbing.

The Guardian - Opinion

In the 1940s, hardly anybody owned a fridge, so tinned food was enormously popular, explaining the presence of canned fish and condensed milk.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Before that, Andrew was for six years the chief financial officer at Trader Media Group (TMG), where he played a leading role in Auto Trader's enormously successful transition from print to digital publishing.

The Guardian

Almost as soon as the word "recession" was uttered in 2008, we saw our sales drop enormously.

The Guardian

Privately rented accommodation can vary enormously in price so it's worth doing a bit of research online, or talking to local lettings agents before making a decision.

The Guardian

This show takes a slice through an enormously varied career, with Double Bind at its core.

The Guardian - Arts

"We are enormously optimistic in the Irish government about the potential in Sierra Leone," says Walsh. "The government is doing a lot, donor co-ordination is strong, including a close group of four EU donors.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "enormously" to add emphasis when describing the magnitude, scale, or impact of something. It is particularly effective in formal and professional contexts to convey a significant degree.

Common error

While "enormously" is grammatically correct, it can sound overly formal in casual conversation. Consider using simpler alternatives like "very" or "really" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "enormously" primarily functions as an intensifier, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to emphasize a high degree or extent. Ludwig's examples show it used to amplify adjectives like "popular" and "helpful", indicating a significant impact or quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Science

17%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "enormously" is a grammatically sound adverb used to express a high degree or extent. As indicated by Ludwig AI, it is correct and usable in written English and functions as an intensifier, adding emphasis to the words it modifies. With a "very common" frequency, its primary function is to convey scale and significance, most frequently in news and media. While versatile, "enormously" leans toward formality and is best suited for professional or neutral contexts. Ludwig examples highlight its utility in amplifying adjectives and verbs across diverse domains. Consider related phrases like "greatly", "immensely", or "extremely" for semantic alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Greatly

A simple and direct synonym, suitable for many contexts where "enormously" is used.

Tremendously

Emphasizes the powerful or impressive nature of the degree.

Immensely

Highlights the vastness or hugeness of the degree or impact.

Extremely

A straightforward alternative indicating a very high degree.

Vastly

Implies a very large scale or scope.

To a great extent

Emphasizes the degree or scope of something, similar to "enormously" but with a slightly more formal tone.

Substantially

Suggests a considerable amount or quantity.

To a considerable degree

Similar to "to a great extent", it highlights the significant level or measure of something.

Significantly

Highlights the importance or consequence of the degree.

Incredibly

Focuses on the surprising or hard-to-believe aspect of the degree.

FAQs

How can I use "enormously" in a sentence?

"Enormously" is an adverb that modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. For example: "The project was "enormously successful"", "He contributed "enormously to" the team's success", or "She was "enormously grateful" for the help".

What are some synonyms for "enormously"?

Alternatives to "enormously" include "greatly", "immensely", "extremely", or "tremendously". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it better to use "enormously" or "very much"?

Both "enormously" and "very much" can express a high degree, but "enormously" often sounds more formal and emphasizes scale or impact. "Very much" is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations.

What is the difference between "enormously" and "considerably"?

"Enormously" suggests a large degree or size, while "considerably" indicates a noticeable or significant degree. "Enormously" emphasizes the magnitude, whereas "considerably" emphasizes the importance or impact.