extremely

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "extremely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that something is of the highest degree, such as doing something more than usual. For example, "I am extremely excited for the holiday season this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I've just been extremely fortunate.

The Guardian - Film

A Department for Transport spokesman said: "It is extremely disappointing that Network Rail's engineering works have overrun and will affect travellers during this festive season, passengers will be rightly annoyed.

The Guardian - Business

After being married for over 37 years, I showed extremely poor judgment by engaging in an extramarital affair.

The Guardian

However we diverge politically, I have enough faith in Eastwood's artistry and intellect to trust that he is not a black-and-white ideologue – or, at least, that he knows that the limitations of such a worldview would make for an extremely dull movie.

The Guardian - Opinion

The academic Alison Wolf has done some fascinating research showing that countries with very good prospects for professional women also have extremely high - 90%-plus - proportions of women doing the very low-paid care work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Creative and intellectual, she is extremely interesting in race and culture.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

I always tried to avoid contact with those violent guards unless it was extremely necessary.

The Guardian

Python is an extremely powerful and flexible language that will let you build lots of software and you can even use it to interface with hardware on the Pi.

The Guardian - Tech

"I thought he was extremely badly treated, the way they bundled him out.

The Guardian

He said: "I am extremely disappointed by the findings of the Fifa appeals committee as announced.

The Guardian - Sport

"Look, this is an area where people are inevitably extremely sensitive.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Avoid overuse of "extremely" in close proximity within your writing. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "highly", "very", or "incredibly" to maintain reader engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "extremely" with words that already imply a maximum degree. For example, saying "extremely unique" is redundant because "unique" already means one of a kind.

Linguistic Context

The word "extremely" functions as an adverb of degree, modifying adjectives and adverbs to intensify their meaning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the extent to which something possesses a particular quality or performs a certain action. Examples from Ludwig illustrate this, such as "extremely fortunate" or "extremely sensitive".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "extremely" functions as a versatile adverb of degree, used to intensify adjectives and adverbs across various registers. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage. While it's a helpful tool for emphasizing descriptions and expressing strong feelings, its frequent appearance in news and media suggests a generally neutral tone. Remember to use "extremely" judiciously, avoiding redundancy and varying your vocabulary to maintain reader engagement. Alternatives like "highly", "very", and "incredibly" can provide nuanced expressions of intensity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

highly

Focuses on a significant degree or level of something.

very

A common and versatile alternative for indicating a high degree.

incredibly

Emphasizes the surprising or unbelievable nature of the degree.

exceptionally

Highlights the unusual or outstanding nature of the degree.

remarkably

Draws attention to the noteworthy or striking nature of the degree.

exceedingly

Indicates a degree that surpasses the ordinary or expected.

intensely

Focuses on the depth or strength of the degree.

particularly

Suggests a specific focus or emphasis on the degree.

unusually

Highlights the uncommon or atypical nature of the degree.

decidedly

Implies a clear and unmistakable degree.

FAQs

How can I use "extremely" in a sentence?

You can use "extremely" to intensify adjectives or adverbs. For instance, "He is "extremely talented"" or "She works "extremely hard"".

What are some alternatives to "extremely"?

Alternatives to "extremely" include "highly", "very", "incredibly", or "exceptionally", depending on the specific context.

Is it ever incorrect to use "extremely"?

While grammatically correct, overuse of "extremely" can weaken your writing. It's best to use it judiciously for emphasis, and consider stronger, more descriptive words instead.

What's the difference between "extremely" and "very"?

"Extremely" implies a higher degree than "very". While "very" is a common intensifier, "extremely" suggests something is at the utmost level. For example, you'd say something is "very good", but "extremely impressive".