solemnly

USAGE SUMMARY

'solemnly' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It is an adverb that is used to emphasize the seriousness of a vow or promise. For example, you could say: "I solemnly swear that I will not break my promise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Over-promoted General Sir Mike Rose, a failed military leader in bloody Bosnia, has his three ha'porth in the paper, while Chris Huhne solemnly accuses Blair of telling lies in his Guardian column.

The Guardian

Billablog On theguardian.com "'That really is a beautiful tomato and mozzarella salad,' [Stewart] intones solemnly to a bemused waiter".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

For instance, he added an opening pre-title scene to create the first of several McGuffins, as Hitchcock called red herrings, in which the kids are filmed solemnly and quietly agreeing to kill Jane's father.

The Guardian - Film

Afterwards we publicly celebrated mass together and solemnly embraced one another.

The Guardian

When he was introduced to Jane and she shook his hand solemnly, he asked her if her boyfriend's name was Tarzan, which amused her immensely.

The Guardian - Arts

There are a few wonderful, practical uses of Welsh: train announcements are often made in Welsh first at train stations, so platform changes usually see Welsh speakers heading for the stairs first, leaving poor English speakers jostling solemnly for seats on packed trains.

The Guardian - Opinion

But children featured solemnly in many of the speeches.

The Guardian

Judging by the last few big films that Caine has made, this means that The Last Witch Hunter is going to have loads of boring exposition that needs to be solemnly intoned by an elder statesman figure, and also that Morgan Freeman was busy.

The Guardian - Film

Rudd solemnly warned voters that Britain is the only European country to use first past the post – as if that would swing many votes.

The Guardian

One lady solemnly told me that dark, outside forces were responsible for everything here, from floods and pickpocketing to the price of sugar.

The Guardian - Travel

If every lie told by politicians, especially those uttered in parliament, where the offence is taken most solemnly, was a hanging offence, you wouldn't be able to move at Westminster for gibbets.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "solemnly" when you want to emphasize the serious and formal nature of a declaration, promise, or event. It adds a sense of gravity and importance to the situation.

Common error

Avoid using "solemnly" when you mean to express sadness or sorrow. While solemn events can be sad, "solemnly" emphasizes the formality and seriousness of the occasion, not necessarily the emotional state.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "solemnly" modifies verbs, adverbs, or adjectives to indicate that an action or statement is performed or expressed in a serious and formal manner. Ludwig shows this usage clearly across different contexts, emphasizing the weight and importance of the situation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

36%

Formal & Business

32%

Science

32%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "solemnly" is an adverb used to emphasize the serious and formal nature of an action or statement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, particularly in news and media, formal business settings, and scientific writing. It is best used to convey gravity and importance, signaling that a situation deserves respect and consideration. When choosing alternatives, consider nuances in meaning and formality. Avoid confusing it with words that simply express sadness. This ensures you effectively communicate the intended tone and significance of your message.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

with great gravity

Highlights the weight and importance attached to an action or statement, often in a formal setting.

in all seriousness

Underscores the speaker's genuine intent and lack of levity.

earnestly

Conveys sincerity and seriousness, focusing on the speaker's genuine intent rather than the formality of the occasion.

with deep respect

Emphasizes the high regard and honor shown in the manner of acting or speaking.

gravely

Emphasizes the seriousness and potential negative consequences of a situation.

seriously

Indicates a sincere and thoughtful approach, lacking the overtone of ceremony or ritual.

formally

Focuses on adherence to protocol and established procedures, rather than the emotional tone.

reverently

Highlights the deep respect and admiration associated with an action or statement.

ceremoniously

Emphasizes the ritualistic and traditional aspects of an action.

piously

Suggests a sense of religious devotion or reverence, which may not always be present in "solemnly".

FAQs

How can I use "solemnly" in a sentence?

"Solemnly" is typically used to describe how something is said or done in a serious and formal manner. For example, "The judge "solemnly" pronounced the sentence" or "They "solemnly" swore to uphold the constitution".

What are some alternatives to "solemnly"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives such as "earnestly", "gravely", "seriously", or "with great gravity". These options vary slightly in their emphasis and connotation.

Is it appropriate to use "solemnly" in informal settings?

While "solemnly" isn't strictly inappropriate in informal settings, it's generally reserved for more formal or serious occasions. Using it too casually might sound overdramatic or out of place. Consider using a less formal alternative such as "seriously" or "sincerely" in informal contexts.

What is the difference between "solemn" and "solemnly"?

"Solemn" is an adjective that describes something as serious or formal, while "solemnly" is an adverb that describes how something is done. For example, you might describe a ceremony as "solemn", but say that the participants acted ""solemnly"".