really alone

USAGE SUMMARY

"really alone" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that someone is completely and utterly alone, rather than just being physically separated from others. For example: "She felt as if she were really alone in the world."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

I felt really alone.

The New York Times

Are we really alone?

The New Yorker

My friends weren't really alone.

The New Yorker

Kent was not really alone.

The New York Times - Sports

Of course, I am not really alone.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But we were never really alone.

The Guardian - Opinion

We are not really alone in all this.

The New York Times

"It seemed like we were really alone," he said.

The New York Times

But to be honest, I'm not really alone.

The Guardian - Books

"The first seven years, I was really alone," she said.

The New Yorker

"You might seem like you are alone, but you are not really alone," he told him.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "really alone" to emphasize a sense of profound isolation, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual. It's stronger than just "alone".

Common error

While effective, avoid using "really alone" excessively in a single piece of writing. Vary your vocabulary with synonyms like "completely isolated" or "utterly lonely" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "really alone" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or adjective to intensify the state of being alone. Ludwig examples show it describing emotional and physical states of isolation. It enhances the descriptive power of the word "alone".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

89%

Science

5%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "really alone" is a common and grammatically correct way to express a strong sense of isolation. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is used to intensify the feeling of being alone, going beyond mere physical separation to suggest a deeper emotional or existential loneliness. Its frequent appearance in news and media highlights its relevance in describing various human experiences. While versatile, it's important to use it judiciously and consider synonyms like "completely isolated" or "utterly lonely" to avoid redundancy and maintain the impact of the phrase.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

truly isolated

Stresses the genuineness and depth of the isolation.

seriously isolated

Underlines the severity and significance of the isolation.

utterly lonely

Highlights the emotional aspect of loneliness to an extreme degree.

profoundly lonely

Conveys a deep and intense feeling of loneliness.

genuinely solitary

Highlights a state of being alone by choice or circumstance, with an authentic feel.

in complete solitude

Focuses on the state of being alone and undisturbed.

completely isolated

Emphasizes the lack of contact with others and physical separation.

entirely by oneself

Emphasizes the lack of any other person being present.

absolutely solo

Focuses on being by oneself without any company.

totally deserted

Suggests abandonment and being left behind.

FAQs

How can I use "really alone" in a sentence?

You can use "really alone" to emphasize the feeling of isolation, as in "After everyone left, I felt "really alone" in the big house."

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

"Really alone" intensifies the feeling of being alone. While "alone" simply means being without company, "really alone" suggests a deeper sense of isolation or loneliness.

What can I say instead of "really alone"?

Alternatives to "really alone" include "utterly lonely", "completely isolated", or "profoundly lonely", depending on the specific context.

Is it grammatically correct to say "really alone"?

Yes, it is grammatically correct. "Really" is an adverb that modifies the adjective "alone", intensifying its meaning. This usage is standard and widely accepted.