madly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "madly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an intense or frenzied manner, often in relation to emotions or actions. Example: "She danced madly at the party, losing herself in the music."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I picture it now, in the bowels of some Scottish estate perhaps, moth-eaten and with its glass eyes staring madly.

The Guardian

He even, madly, began to plan a holiday to St Petersburg.

The Guardian

Half Wild continues from where Half Bad ended and shows Nathan's struggles with hiding from the white witches (the Hunters and the council) who want him dead and his mission to save Annalise whom he is madly in love with.

The Guardian

He had a longish relationship with the madly talented Jane Horrocks, and was subsequently linked with Calista Flockhart and Rachel Weisz.

The Guardian - Film

That went when they surrendered so madly and meekly on the final morning of the second Test in Adelaide.

The Guardian - Sport

They are no longer satisfied with fake Louis Vuitton handbags; they want clean air, safe food and more leisure, and are madly in love with the internet.

The Economist

Perhaps because Chinese fans love the sport madly and want desperately for their nation to succeed at it, football is the common reference point by which people understand and measure failure.

The Economist

Enter BALLSGORDON: Most loyal Balls, now only you remainOf all the thousands who once flattered me.(And by the way, have you seen Mandelson?)But why do you turn pale, eyes madly blinking?What do you see?

The Economist

And madly Latin southern France is to the north of dour, industrial, wealthy northern Spain and on the same level as northern Italy.

The Economist

As Peter Pomerantsev wrote after the stock plunge, "for every announcement about war and peace made by Moscow, equity prices rise madly up or down, and someone, somewhere very near to Putin, is making a killing on the markets".

The Economist

It can leave its reserves just where they are—appreciating madly, in fact as the value of the dollar declines.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "madly" to emphasize the intensity of an emotion or action, such as "madly in love" or "writing madly to meet a deadline". It adds color and emphasizes the strength of the feeling or behavior.

Common error

Avoid using "madly" in highly formal or professional contexts where a more neutral adverb might be more appropriate. Words like "intensely" or "passionately" may convey similar meaning with a more appropriate tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "madly" is to act as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to express the manner in which an action is performed or a state is experienced. As Ludwig highlights, it often denotes an intense, frenzied, or irrational manner. Examples include "staring madly" and "appreciating madly".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

3%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "madly" functions as an adverb to express intensity, passion, or irrationality. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and frequently used, especially in news and media. While versatile, it's best to avoid it in overly formal writing where more neutral alternatives are preferable. Alternatives include "insanely", "wildly", and "passionately". Remember to use "madly" to emphasize the intensity of an emotion or action and adjust your choice based on the context for best impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Insanely

Emphasizes the extreme degree of something, often suggesting mental instability.

Wildly

Highlights the uncontrolled or unrestrained manner of an action or emotion.

Frantically

Suggests a hurried and chaotic approach, often driven by panic or desperation.

Passionately

Focuses on intense emotion and enthusiasm.

Intensely

Highlights the high degree or strength of something.

Deeply

Indicates a profound or heartfelt level of emotion or involvement.

Ardently

Emphasizes fervent and zealous enthusiasm.

Fervently

Suggests a sincere and enthusiastic intensity.

Eagerly

Focuses on enthusiasm and anticipation.

Desperately

Indicates a sense of urgency and a willingness to do anything to achieve a goal.

FAQs

How can I use the word "madly" in a sentence?

"Madly" can be used to describe actions done in a wild or uncontrolled manner, or to express intense emotion. For example, "She laughed madly at the joke" or "They were "madly in love"".

What are some alternatives to using "madly"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "insanely", "wildly", "frantically", or "passionately". Choose the word that best fits the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "madly" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "madly" might be too informal or emotionally charged for some formal contexts. Consider using a more neutral adverb like "intensely" or "greatly" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "madly" and "passionately"?

"Madly" often implies a lack of control or reason, whereas "passionately" emphasizes intense emotion and enthusiasm. For example, someone might be "madly in love" (suggesting irrational behavior) or passionately dedicated to a cause (showing strong commitment).