in a literal form

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "in a literal form" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing the exact or primary meaning of a word or phrase, as opposed to a figurative or metaphorical interpretation. Example: "When he said he was 'feeling blue,' he meant it in a literal form, referring to his sadness."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

In a literal form.

Huffington Post

On NVSB, Ashton continues examining the limits, and far-reaching possibilities of the marriage between his iconic earth-shattering sub-bass and underlying delicate overtones he even goes so far as to separate the two spectrums in a literal form, splitting the album into two discs (for those who still buy CDs), "Noise" and "Beauty".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

Outside of England, the concept of squab pie does exist, but in a more literal form actually containing squab.

Wikipedia

One of the initial ideas was to revisit some of my songs in a quite literal form and simply rearrange them.

Huffington Post

Note that the term circulation is used here in its literal form, meaning 'moving in a circular path' (Stevenson and Lindberg 2010).

Evolutionary Applications

(That gaze took on a disturbingly literal form in the case of vases de mariée, porcelain chamber pots "at the bottom of which a wide-open, painted eye soaks up the sight of an invigorating shower").

The New Yorker

Old-time religion in its literal form makes frequent appearances.

The New York Times - Books

You then want to build in sweetness, but not in the literal form of sugar (see, Dressing).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

That lens, in the literal form of Mr. Allende's glasses, is the focus of much of the criticism.

The New York Times

The stuff is served by the pitcher — in literal form, golden chicken fat — on the tables as a condiment.

The New York Times

Planned Parenthood clearly fears a more literal form of attack, and makes all visitors pass through a metal detector before entering.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in a literal form" when you want to emphasize that something is meant exactly as it is stated, without any figurative or metaphorical interpretation. This clarifies the intent and prevents misunderstanding.

Common error

Avoid using "in a literal form" simply for emphasis when the context already implies a literal meaning. This can make your writing sound redundant and less concise. Instead, reserve it for situations where clarification is genuinely needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in a literal form" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to specify that something is to be understood in its most direct and non-figurative sense. Ludwig examples illustrate its use in clarifying intent, ensuring the meaning is taken exactly as stated.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Wiki

25%

Science

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The adverbial phrase "in a literal form" is used to emphasize a direct, non-figurative understanding of a statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct but relatively rare, appearing mostly in news and media, scientific, and wiki contexts. Alternatives like "literally" or "in a strict sense" offer more concise options. Using "in a literal form" helps clarify intent and avoid misinterpretations, but should be used judiciously to prevent redundancy. Remember, reserve it for situations where potential ambiguity genuinely exists and clarification is needed to avoid misunderstanding.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

literally

A more concise adverb expressing the same direct and non-figurative sense.

in a strict sense

Emphasizes adherence to the precise or narrow meaning of a term.

in a direct manner

Focuses on the straightforwardness and lack of ambiguity in the expression.

verbatim

Highlights the exact and unedited nature of the expression.

in its exact form

Stresses the precise representation without alteration or interpretation.

to the letter

Implies following instructions or understanding precisely without deviation.

without interpretation

Indicates that the expression is taken at face value, not subject to analysis.

in reality

Highlights an idea is expressed with something real or concrete, rather than abstract or symbolic.

as it is written

Focuses on the original and unchanged representation of the expression.

explicitly

Highlights the clarity and unambiguity of the expression, leaving no room for doubt.

FAQs

How can I use "in a literal form" in a sentence?

You can use "in a literal form" to emphasize that something should be understood directly, without any metaphorical or figurative interpretation. For instance, "When I said I was 'feeling blue,' I meant it "in a literal form", referring to my sadness, not the color."

What are some alternatives to using "in a literal form"?

Some alternatives include "literally", "in a strict sense", or "in a direct manner", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "literally" and ""in a literal form""?

"Literally" is an adverb, while "in a literal form" is an adverbial phrase. Both convey the same meaning, but the phrase is often used for emphasis or clarification. The single word "literally" is more concise and common.

When is it appropriate to use ""in a literal form""?

Use "in a literal form" when you need to explicitly clarify that something is meant exactly as stated, especially when there's a risk of misinterpretation or when the context might suggest a figurative meaning. The phrase can avoid misunderstanding and provide clarity.