flatly

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "flatly" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a level of certainty, conviction, or firmness about something. For example: The mayor flatly denied the allegations made against him.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Fiercest opposition came from Patrick McLoughlin's Department for Transport, which flatly opposed Manchester's desire to regulate local bus companies.

The Guardian

Related: Hillary Clinton faces new questions over personal emails she 'chose not to keep' Clinton stated flatly that "there were no security breaches" on her email server at the press conference.

The Guardian

The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist party is demanding a fresh election administered by an independent interim government, which the ruling Awami League flatly rejects.

The Guardian

But the National party has flatly rejected the allegation it infringed the rapper's work and says the backing came from an Australian-based production outfit.

The Guardian

Green Party MP Caroline Lucas, who will join passengers at Brighton station on Monday to call for Britain's railways to be returned to public hands, said services over the Christmas period were typical of "a system that has flatly failed".

The Guardian

When a technology journalist suggested to Steve Jobs, in 2010, that his children must have loved the just-released iPad, he replied flatly: "They haven't used it.

The Guardian - Tech

From the outset, Blair set out to cultivate the Tory press: Lord Rothermere, Conrad Black (whom he knew through the Bilderberg Conferences that he flatly denied attending) and particularly Rupert Murdoch.

The Guardian

"It's very worrying that the US government knows where its disappeared citizen is and flatly refuses to tell his family or his lawyers," Crider told the Guardian.

The Guardian

I encouraged readers to complain, on the grounds that the BBC's failure to disclose his interests in the issue he was discussing flatly contravenes three of its editorial guidelines.

The Guardian - Opinion

Ask them whether they ever discussed a reunion before this time and they flatly deny it.

The Guardian - Music

It flatly rejects accusations that it supports terrorism.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "flatly" to convey a sense of certainty or finality, especially when denying accusations or rejecting proposals. For example, "The CEO flatly denied any wrongdoing."

Common error

Avoid using "flatly" when describing emotional responses, as it can sound unnatural. Instead, opt for adverbs that better capture the emotional nuance, such as "angrily", "sadly", or "excitedly".

Linguistic Context

The adverb "flatly" primarily functions to modify verbs, adverbs, or adjectives, emphasizing the manner in which an action is performed or a statement is made. As shown in Ludwig, it denotes certainty, directness, and a lack of ambiguity in the action or statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "flatly" is an adverb used to express certainty, directness, or a lack of emotion, predominantly in news and media contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and usability in written English. It often modifies verbs to emphasize the manner in which an action is performed, especially in denials or rejections. While versatile, avoiding its overuse in highly emotional contexts is advisable. Alternative phrases such as "categorically" or "unconditionally" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Authoritative sources like The Guardian and The Economist frequently employ "flatly" to convey conviction and finality in their reporting.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

categorically

Indicates an unambiguous and absolute denial or statement.

unconditionally

Implies a complete and unrestricted agreement or refusal.

definitely

Suggests a firm and decisive statement.

explicitly

Highlights a clear and unambiguous expression.

expressly

Stresses a direct and unambiguous communication.

point blank

Indicates a direct and blunt manner of speaking.

without hesitation

Suggests an immediate and confident response.

in no uncertain terms

Emphasizes a clear and forceful statement.

coldly

Indicates a lack of emotion or warmth in a response.

matter-of-factly

Suggests a factual and unemotional way of speaking.

FAQs

How to use "flatly" in a sentence?

Use "flatly" to indicate a firm and direct denial or rejection. For example, "The suspect "flatly denied" any involvement in the crime."

What can I say instead of "flatly"?

You can use alternatives like "categorically", "definitely", or "explicitly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "flatly deny" or "flat deny"?

"Flatly deny" is the correct and more common usage. "Flat deny" is grammatically incorrect.

What's the difference between "flatly" and "coldly"?

"Flatly" indicates a firm and direct statement, while "coldly" suggests a lack of emotion or warmth. You might say someone "flatly denied" an accusation but "coldly refused" an offer of help.