this very morning

USAGE SUMMARY

"this very morning" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You could use it to refer to the early hours of the day—perhaps before noon. For example: "I woke up early this very morning and made coffee for the entire family."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

"I fink we should make a play date 4 our GENITILZ!" one man wrote this very morning.

The Guardian - Tech

At the wheel of a Caddy, this very morning, we are discovering a brand-new motoring sensation & its only fair to report that it's making us uneasy.

The New Yorker

Clearly the new star of this fringe, interviewed in the Guardian this very morning, he's the young man everybody has been talking about in Edinburgh.

The Guardian

I'm told that manta rays were seen here this very morning, and the day before, and every day before that for several weeks.

The Guardian - Travel

"This very morning, police operations were launched in Marseille and Bordeaux that led notably to three arrests directly linked to the fight against terrorism," Interior Minister Brice Hortefeux told legislators in the National Assembly.

The New York Times

They stand looking out over the yard for a moment and then they are talking rain: how little rain there is, how the priest in Kilmuckridge prayed for rain this very morning, how a summer like this was never before known.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

This very afternoon.

The New York Times

"Before you go to bed this very night . .

The New Yorker

Tyler Hansbrough returned to North Carolina for his senior season with this very night in mind.

The New York Times - Sports

"Before you go to bed this very night ... .. the speaker was saying, as the young longhairs walked away.

The New Yorker

He plays (kinda) for Liverpool and Liverpool are one of those teams playing in Big Vase this very evening.

The Guardian - Sport

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "this very morning" when you want to emphasize the immediacy or recency of an event. It adds a sense of specificity compared to simply saying "this morning".

Common error

Avoid using "this very morning" in extremely casual conversations where simpler phrases like "this morning" or "earlier today" suffice. The added emphasis can sound unnatural in very informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "this very morning" functions as a time adverbial, modifying a verb to specify when an action occurred. It emphasizes that the event happened recently, specifically on the morning of the current day. Ludwig provides examples where it's used to introduce news or highlight a recent action.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Science

10%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "this very morning" is a grammatically correct and emphatic way to refer to the morning of the current day. As Ludwig confirms, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts, where its specificity and sense of immediacy are particularly useful. While appropriate for formal writing, overuse in casual conversation may sound unnatural. Consider alternatives like "earlier today" or "just this morning" to better suit the context. The phrase serves to underscore the recency and relevance of an event, adding weight to the information being conveyed.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

This morning

A more general term that refers to the morning of the current day.

Just this morning

Adds a sense of immediacy or recent occurrence.

Earlier today

Emphasizes that the event happened in the same day, but doesn't necessarily imply it was early in the day.

First thing this morning

Emphasizes that something happened at the start of the morning.

In the early hours of today

Focuses on the specific time frame of the early morning.

This morning specifically

Highlights a particular morning as opposed to others.

The morning of this day

A slightly more formal version of "this morning".

Earlier on this day

More formal and emphasizes the timing within the current day.

As of this morning

Focuses on the state or condition as it exists from this morning.

At the crack of dawn today

More figurative, implying something happened very early in the morning.

FAQs

How does "this very morning" differ from "this morning"?

"This very morning" emphasizes the immediacy or specificity of the morning in question, whereas "this morning" is a more general reference to the morning of the current day. The former adds a sense of importance or surprise.

What are some alternatives to "this very morning"?

Alternatives include "earlier today", "just this morning", or "in the early hours of today", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "this very morning" appropriate for formal writing?

Yes, "this very morning" is suitable for formal writing, particularly when you need to highlight the recency or importance of an event. It is often found in news reports and official statements.

Can I use "this very morning" to refer to a future event?

No, "this very morning" refers to an event that has already occurred on the morning of the current day. To refer to a future morning, you would need to use a different construction, such as "tomorrow morning".