seriously

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "seriously" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the sincerity or gravity of a statement or situation. Example: "I seriously doubt that this plan will work given the current circumstances."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Travel

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

And, parts of London, there are actually Muslim religious police that actually beat and actually wound seriously anyone who doesn't dress according to religious Muslim attire.

The Guardian

This ruling will save lives by forcing the government to finally take this issue seriously.

The Guardian

The player was thankfully not seriously hurt".

The Guardian - Sport

We take any complaint seriously and will aim to investigate and respond as quickly as possible and in any event within 28 days.

The Guardian

So next time you hear someone mouthing off about bloody immigrants, ask how many kids they have, how old they were when they had them and whether or not they expect those children to look after them when they get seriously old.

The Guardian

Big shifts have been triggered on the ground, too, with several Hollywood studios getting seriously involved in local productions.

The Guardian - Film

Its parties are as legendary, as they are fun, though you might wanna stay out of the downstairs bar unless you take this sort of thing very, very seriously.

The Guardian - Travel

"I am a believer in anti-corruption bodies but they've got to run it seriously and not defame people and not grill people when they don't have any real evidence".

The Guardian

Performance director Neil Black said: "I've had conversations with Alberto and we are taking this seriously.

The Guardian - Sport

Or was she right to quit and make her stand on the TV bulletins and front pages, fed up that she had made her discontents known but not been taken seriously?

The Guardian

Even so, the risk should be taken seriously.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When you want to express a high level of commitment or focus, consider using "seriously" to convey the depth of your engagement.

Common error

Avoid using "seriously" too frequently in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can make your tone seem overly formal or intense. Consider alternatives like "really" or "truly" for a lighter touch.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "seriously" primarily functions to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs, emphasizing the manner in which an action is performed or a quality is possessed. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates a genuine and sincere approach.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Formal & Business

15%

Travel

3%

Less common in

Opinion

3%

Sport

3%

Lifestyle

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "seriously" is a versatile adverb used to emphasize sincerity, gravity, or importance across various contexts. As shown by Ludwig, it is grammatically correct and commonly found in news, media, and formal business settings. While it is a very common word, its overuse in informal contexts should be avoided to maintain a natural tone. Alternatives such as "in earnest", "sincerely", and "earnestly" can be used to convey similar meanings. Therefore, use "seriously" thoughtfully to enhance the impact of your writing or speech.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

in all seriousness

Introduces a statement emphasizing that the speaker is not joking or being trivial.

in earnest

Emphasizes sincerity and genuine intent, similar to taking something "seriously".

sincerely

Indicates a genuine and honest feeling or belief, akin to regarding something "seriously".

earnestly

Highlights the deep sincerity and seriousness with which something is approached.

gravely

Implies a solemn and serious manner, especially in situations of importance.

genuinely

Stresses the authenticity and realness of a feeling or action, much like approaching something "seriously".

no joking matter

Highlights that a situation should be regarded "seriously" and not treated lightly.

with deep concern

Expresses that a matter is being considered "seriously" because it is worrying.

with due attention

Suggests giving proper and careful consideration, much like taking something "seriously".

thoughtfully

Indicates careful consideration and reflection, similar to approaching something "seriously".

FAQs

How can I use "seriously" in a sentence?

You can use "seriously" to emphasize the importance or sincerity of a statement, as in "I "seriously doubt" that this plan will work" or "We need to "take this seriously"".

What are some alternatives to the word "seriously"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "in earnest", "sincerely", or "earnestly" to convey a similar meaning to "seriously".

When is it appropriate to use "seriously" in writing?

It is appropriate to use "seriously" when you want to emphasize the gravity or importance of a situation, or when you want to convey that you are being sincere and not joking.

Is it ever incorrect to use the word "seriously"?

While grammatically correct, overusing "seriously" in informal contexts can make your writing sound overly formal. In such cases, consider using alternatives like "really" or "truly".