really

USAGE SUMMARY

"really" is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to emphasize a point or to express strong emotion. For example, "I really enjoyed the movie!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

But not really.

The New York Times

Nobody really knows.

The New York Times

No one really knew.

The New York Times

It's really annoying.

The Guardian

It's just really important for everybody to take extra precautions".

The Guardian

"It will be broader brush than really specifics of working through things".

The Guardian

"It is really important for the party that it is not defensive about the past but is absolutely honest and clear-eyed and faces up to the truth of what people are saying".

The Guardian

I knew this was going to be a tough fight and we have run a really strong positive campaign and we have fought for every single vote".

The Guardian

But, really, what's the point?

The Guardian - Business

"It was really bad.

The New York Times - Sports

It really was shocking.

The Guardian - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really" to add emphasis to your sentences, making your statements more impactful and engaging for the reader. For instance, "The concert was really amazing!"

Common error

Avoid overusing "really" as it can diminish its impact and make your writing sound repetitive. Instead, vary your vocabulary with stronger adjectives or adverbs to convey emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The word "really" primarily functions as an adverb, modifying adjectives, verbs, or even entire clauses to add emphasis or express the speaker's attitude. Ludwig AI confirms its usability in written English, enhancing statements with force or surprise.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

79%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

11%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "really" is a versatile adverb used to add emphasis, express surprise, or seek confirmation. Ludwig AI validates its correct usage in written English. With a very common frequency, it appears most often in news and media sources. To enhance your writing, use "really" to make statements more impactful, but avoid overuse. Consider alternatives like "truly" or "indeed" to add variety. Be mindful of the context to ensure the appropriate tone and emphasis. The analysis indicates that "really" functions as a straightforward yet powerful tool in effective communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly

Emphasizes the truth or genuineness of a statement, similar to "really" when used to express sincerity.

genuinely

Indicates that something is authentic or sincere, mirroring "really" in contexts of honesty and truthfulness.

actually

Highlights the factuality or reality of a situation, akin to "really" when used to assert truth.

indeed

Affirms or emphasizes a previous statement, paralleling "really" in expressions of agreement or confirmation.

in fact

Introduces a statement that provides additional detail or confirmation, similar to "really" when used to emphasize a point.

very much

Intensifies the degree or extent of something, comparable to "really" when modifying verbs to express strong effect.

honestly

Indicates sincerity and frankness, akin to "really" in contexts where truthfulness is being emphasized.

seriously

Emphasizes the importance or gravity of a situation, mirroring "really" in contexts of strong emotion or concern.

without a doubt

Expresses certainty and confidence, paralleling "really" when used to assert something with conviction.

verily

An archaic term that emphasizes truth, like "really" when used in old-fashioned forms of writing or speech.

FAQs

How can I use "really" in a sentence?

"Really" can be used to emphasize an adjective (e.g., "That's "really interesting""), modify a verb (e.g., "I "really appreciate" your help"), or express surprise (e.g., "Really? I didn't know that!").

What are some alternatives to "really"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "truly", "genuinely", "actually", or "indeed" to convey a similar meaning to "really".

Is it grammatically correct to start a sentence with "Really"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct to start a sentence with "Really" when used as an interjection to express surprise, disbelief, or to seek confirmation. For example, "Really? Is that what happened?"

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

"Really" and "very" are often interchangeable, but "really" can also express surprise or disbelief, while "very" is primarily used to intensify adjectives and adverbs. For instance, you might say "It's "very cold" outside" or "Are you "really sure" about that".