the very world

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the very world" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize the entirety or essence of the world in a particular context, often to convey a sense of importance or significance. Example: "In times of crisis, we must remember that we are all connected to the very world around us."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

32 human-written examples

She continues to critique the very world that now considers her a legend.

The New Yorker

The very world Lincoln finds himself in when the game begins.

The Guardian - Opinion

The condemned man, along with 11 others, begins feeling "a great, devouring hunger" that makes him hanker "to eat the very world".

The New York Times - Books

As a boy, the author was dazzled by his father's sales prowess and by his ability to shape the very world around him.

The New York Times - Books

A portrait that conveys the very world this novel recreates can be seen today in the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston.

The Guardian - Arts

But above all this is an eloquent tribute to text and its ability to shape our emotions, and rewrite the very world we live in.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

Honan is not out to psychoanalyze Jane Austen, but rather to provide as much data about her life as can be pieced together from research, so that we can survey the raw materials--indeed, the very world--from which she created her novels.

Los Angeles Times

Now he needed to connect those worlds to the very different world in which he had made his life.

The New Yorker

The real world is very dynamic.

Huffington Post

It connects the very small world related to the quantum mechanics of sub-atomic particles with the very big world of gravity, galaxies, and black holes.

HuffPost

The real world, however, works very differently.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "the very world" to emphasize the comprehensive and encompassing nature of a situation or environment. For example, "His actions impacted not just his community, but "the very world" around him."

Common error

Avoid using "the very world" in contexts where simpler alternatives like "the world" or "the environment" would suffice. Overusing it can make your writing sound unnecessarily dramatic or verbose.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the very world" functions as a noun phrase that intensifies the concept of "world". As Ludwig AI confirms, it emphasizes the entirety or essence of the world in a particular context, conveying a sense of importance or significance.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

20%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the very world" is a phrase used to emphasize the comprehensive or fundamental nature of the world being discussed. As noted by Ludwig AI, this phrase is considered grammatically correct and is used to convey a sense of significance. It appears most frequently in News & Media contexts, with notable usage in Academia and Science. While appropriate for both formal and informal settings, it lends a slightly more elevated tone to writing. For alternative phrasing, consider options like "the entire world" or "the whole world".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

the entire world

Focuses on the completeness and all-encompassing nature of the world.

the whole world

Similar to 'the entire world', emphasizing the complete scope of the world.

the world itself

Emphasizes the world as a singular entity, devoid of external factors.

this world

Highlights the world as it is experienced directly.

the present world

Focuses on the current state of the world, emphasizing its temporality.

the existing world

Highlights the current reality and circumstances of the world.

the contemporary world

Emphasizes the modern or current era of the world.

the actual world

Stresses the real and tangible aspects of the world.

the known world

Highlights the limits of human knowledge and exploration within the world.

the terrestrial world

Emphasizes the earthly and physical aspects of the world, distinguishing it from the celestial.

FAQs

How can I use "the very world" in a sentence?

Use "the very world" to emphasize a large-scale impact or the fundamental nature of something. For instance, "Technology is changing "the very world" we live in."

What phrases are similar to "the very world"?

Alternatives include "the entire world", "the whole world", or "the present world" depending on the context.

When is it appropriate to use "the very world" instead of "the world"?

Use "the very world" when you want to emphasize the comprehensive or fundamental nature of the world being discussed. It adds a layer of significance that the simpler "the world" might lack.

Is "the very world" a formal or informal expression?

"The very world" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it's more common in formal writing or speech where emphasis is desired. In very informal situations, simpler terms might be preferred.