Used and loved by millions
Since I tried Ludwig back in 2017, I have been constantly using it in both editing and translation. Ever since, I suggest it to my translators at ProSciEditing.

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
really tired
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The sentence "really tired" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when expressing a feeling of being physically or mentally exhausted. For example: "I was up all night studying for the test so I'm feeling really tired today."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Wiki
Science
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
60 human-written examples
I'm not really tired.
News & Media
"You get really tired.
News & Media
I'm really tired.
News & Media
He looked really tired.
News & Media
"They were really tired".
News & Media
I feel really tired".
News & Media
"We are really tired.
News & Media
"Our comrades are really tired.
News & Media
"I'm really tired," she says.
News & Media
I'm really tired of it.
News & Media
"He's just been really tired".
News & Media
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "really tired" to emphasize a strong feeling of fatigue. For nuanced writing, consider alternatives like "utterly exhausted" or "completely drained" to convey specific shades of exhaustion.
Common error
While "really tired" is acceptable, overuse of "really" can weaken your writing. Vary your vocabulary with more descriptive alternatives to enhance impact. Try using "extremely fatigued" or "absolutely weary" instead.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "really tired" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase. It modifies a noun or pronoun, indicating a state of fatigue or exhaustion. This is consistent with Ludwig's analysis, where numerous examples illustrate its use in describing how someone feels.
Frequent in
News & Media
45%
Wiki
20%
Science
15%
Less common in
Formal & Business
10%
Reference
5%
Academia
5%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
In summary, "really tired" is a common and grammatically sound phrase used to express a strong feeling of fatigue. Ludwig's analysis indicates that it's frequently used in news and media, as well as in more informal contexts. While acceptable, writers should avoid overusing "really" and consider more descriptive alternatives like "utterly exhausted" or "completely drained" for more nuanced writing. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable in written English, making it a reliable choice for expressing exhaustion.
More alternative expressions(10)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
worn out
A simpler, more common way to express being tired, suitable for informal contexts.
utterly exhausted
Uses "utterly" to intensify the feeling of being "exhausted", suggesting complete depletion of energy.
extremely fatigued
Replaces "really" with a more formal synonym, "extremely", and "tired" with "fatigued", indicating a higher degree of exhaustion.
absolutely weary
Replaces "really" with "absolutely" and "tired" with "weary", both suggesting a strong feeling of tiredness and fatigue.
completely drained
Emphasizes the feeling of being emptied of energy, similar to "really tired" but with a focus on energy depletion.
bone-tired
Suggests that the tiredness is deep and penetrates to the very bones.
dog-tired
An idiomatic expression that intensifies the feeling of tiredness, suggesting extreme exhaustion.
dead beat
An informal term suggesting extreme tiredness and lack of energy.
ready to drop
Implies being so tired that one is on the verge of collapsing from exhaustion.
plain tired
A simple and direct way of saying you are tired.
FAQs
How can I use "really tired" in a sentence?
You can use "really tired" to describe a state of extreme exhaustion. For example, "After running the marathon, I was "really tired"".
What are some alternatives to saying "really tired"?
Alternatives include "utterly exhausted", "completely drained", or "worn out", depending on the context and desired emphasis.
Is it grammatically correct to say "really tired"?
Yes, "really tired" is grammatically correct. "Really" is an adverb modifying the adjective "tired".
What is the difference between "really tired" and "exhausted"?
"Exhausted" implies a more severe state of tiredness than "really tired". While "really tired" suggests significant fatigue, "exhausted" suggests a complete depletion of energy.
Editing plus AI, all in one place.
Stop switching between tools. Your AI writing partner for everything—polishing proposals, crafting emails, finding the right tone.
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested