sorely

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'sorely' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something was done in a very inadequate or insufficient manner. For example, "The schools were sorely underfunded this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"Brand leadership is sorely lacking," said Conrad McKerron, a senior vice president of As You Sow and a report author, at a news conference releasing the report Thursday.

The Guardian

The top deck of the bus is the perfect party: enveloped in the comfort of the crowd, yet safe in the knowledge that no one will speak to me (and I'll not be sorely judged for preferring not to speak to them).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

He was a towering figure in broadcasting and one who will be sorely missed by many people here today.

The Guardian

I am sorely tempted to start an online appeal to send Richard Templar to meet the uber-successful, hyper go-getting, and sartorially-off-the-wall residents of the Silicone Roundabout in Shoreditch.

The Guardian

He will be sorely missed on the assembly benches but will still be at our meetings in Stormont as party leader and will be remaining as an MP and MEP," the West Belfast assemblyman said.

The Guardian

In Dancing in the Dark, the latest to be translated, he documents his prolonged and calamitous attempts to dispose of his virginity during his late teenage years, a struggle sorely undermined by a chronic condition of premature ejaculation.

The Guardian - Books

"He'll be sorely missed... he was really a wonderful person," she said.

The Guardian

But if he, or anyone else, believes that people are going to stop protesting about the living wage, the housing crisis, workers' rights, tax justice, public services, climate change, or whatever, then they will be sorely disappointed.

The Guardian - Opinion

So is Moyles's departure long overdue or will he be sorely missed?

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Crucially, the De la Renta brand, a favourite of first ladies and Hollywood stars, is redolent of two qualities Galliano sorely needs to recover: respectability and class.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

We sorely need a more balanced and sensitive conversation about migration, yet political and popular discourses are so poisoned, all attempts at a shift of tone get shouted down.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "sorely" to emphasize a strong feeling of need, regret, or distress. It adds a layer of intensity to your writing.

Common error

Avoid using "sorely" to describe physical pain or soreness. It is primarily used to describe emotional or metaphorical pain, or a significant lack of something. For physical pain, use "sore" or "aching" instead.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "sorely" is to act as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to intensify their meaning. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is appropriate in many contexts. For example, "He will be "sorely missed"."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Formal & Business

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "sorely" is a versatile adverb used to emphasize a feeling of need, regret, or distress. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and broad applicability. It is commonly found in news and media, as well as in more formal business or academic writing. Remember to use "sorely" to intensify meaning, and avoid using it to describe physical pain. Alternatives like "acutely", "deeply", and "desperately" can be used depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey. When used correctly, "sorely" can add significant impact to your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

desperately

Highlights the urgency and intensity of the need.

badly

A more general term indicating a strong need or desire.

acutely

Implies a sharp or intense degree of feeling or need.

painfully

Focuses on the distressing or unpleasant aspect of the situation.

severely

Emphasizes the harshness or seriousness of the situation.

deeply

Suggests a profound level of feeling, whether of sorrow or need.

keenly

Suggests a sharp and strong awareness or feeling.

woefully

Highlights the inadequacy or deficiency of something.

greatly

Indicates a large extent or degree.

regrettably

Emphasizes the feeling of regret or disappointment.

FAQs

How can I use "sorely" in a sentence?

"Sorely" is typically used as an adverb to emphasize a feeling of need, regret, or distress. For example, "He will be "sorely missed"" or "The team was "sorely disappointed" by the loss".

What's a good alternative to the word "sorely"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "deeply", "badly", or "desperately" to convey a similar meaning.

Is it correct to say "sorely" when referring to physical pain?

No, "sorely" is generally not used to describe physical pain. Use "sore" or "aching" for physical discomfort instead.

What is the difference between "sorely" and "sore"?

"Sore" is an adjective describing physical pain or discomfort, while "sorely" is an adverb used to emphasize a feeling of need, regret, or distress. For example, "My muscles are sore" versus "I was "sorely mistaken"".