verbally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'verbally' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe communication that occurs through spoken language (i.e. orally). For example: "I asked my boss for a raise, and she verbally agreed to it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

There were four security officers in the room, cursing me and being verbally abusive.

The Guardian

The ABC is standing by the veracity of a rural news report which claimed animal rights activists had complained about sheep being verbally abused by shearers, despite claims it is highly misleading.

The Guardian

We await with interest the outcome of a complaint to the ABC's rural department about a Cherie von Hörchner story which ridiculed Peta for complaining that sheep had been verbally abused by shearers on the Boorungie station last year.

The Guardian

Where Dunham's Horvath seems to exist, with all her hyper-neuroses and anxiety, in a world surrounded by her physical opposites without ever verbally acknowledging it, Lahiri goes the other way: she lands self-deprecating jokes about her weight, her lopsided breasts, her relationship with her nose-trimmer ("see you in 20 minutes") and her sweatiness (men's deodorant only, please).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Having the entire family's fortune riding on one single amateur dance performance, thanks to Tiffany's instigation of a verbally binding bet is not one of them.

The Guardian - Film

Biennale staff have been verbally abused with taunts of 'blood on your hands'.

The Guardian - Arts

Headlines included: "Australians Are Trying to Decide if It's OK to Swear at Sheep" (Time): "Aussie Sheep Station Under Fire For Cursing At Animals" (Huffington Post); "How dare ewe: shear rudeness against sheep" (Nine News); "Shearer under fire for verbally abusing sheep" (The Times UK) and "Inequality on the rise as sheep abuse rears its ugly head" (The Australian).

The Guardian

A lot of obvious irritation was not verbally expressed, just... [she makes a face like a dog having its hair washed against its wishes].

The Guardian - Lifestyle

An analyst tasked with researching Fatima blew the whistle to the Defense Department inspector general in 2012, after saying that an intelligence oversight officer at the COIC verbally communicated that US companies had to be off-limits "due to a lack of derogatory information".

The Guardian

This is about the club having agreed to something both verbally and in the contract which they are now not honouring.

The Guardian - Sport

I've been physically attacked, verbally abused, shot at, bombed and arrested in my 25 years as a TV reporter.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "verbally" to clearly indicate that communication occurred through spoken words, especially when contrasting it with written communication or non-verbal cues.

Common error

Avoid using "verbally" when you mean to say "vaguely". "Verbally" refers to spoken communication, while "vaguely" means lacking clarity or precision. For example, instead of saying 'The agreement was made verbally when the context indicates lack of precision', say 'The agreement was made vaguely'.

Linguistic Context

"Verbally" functions as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to specify that something is communicated or expressed through spoken words. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and common use in English, particularly to contrast with written or non-verbal communication, as evidenced by numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

25%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "verbally" is a versatile adverb used to specify that something is communicated through spoken words. Ludwig AI analysis and numerous examples from various sources confirm its correct and frequent usage. When writing, remember to use "verbally" to clearly indicate spoken communication and avoid confusing it with "vaguely". Consider alternatives like "orally" or "spoken" depending on the desired nuance. As shown by Ludwig, it’s prevalent in news media, scientific, and formal business contexts, with the most authoritative sources including The Guardian and The Economist.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

orally

This alternative refers specifically to spoken communication, much like "verbally".

stated verbally

Emphasizes the act of declaring something in a spoken manner.

through spoken words

This is a more descriptive way of saying "verbally", emphasizing the means of communication.

communicated orally

Combines the general act of communication with the specific method of speaking.

in words

A simpler way to express communication using language, whether spoken or written.

by word of mouth

Focuses on the transmission of information through spoken communication from person to person.

vocally

Similar to 'vocalized', but emphasizes the manner of speaking.

vocalized

This term emphasizes the act of producing sound with one's voice to convey a message.

spoken

A basic term indicating that something was said rather than written.

expressed aloud

Highlights the act of making something known through spoken words rather than keeping it silent or written.

FAQs

How can I use "verbally" in a sentence?

"Verbally" is used to indicate that something is communicated through spoken words. For example, 'The manager "verbally approved" the request', meaning the approval was given through speech, not in writing.

What are some alternatives to saying "verbally"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "orally", "spoken", or "by word of mouth". Each alternative carries a slightly different nuance.

Is it better to have an agreement "verbally" or in writing?

While a "verbal agreement" can be binding, it's generally safer to have agreements in writing to avoid misunderstandings and to provide clear evidence of the terms. Written agreements are typically easier to enforce.

What's the difference between "verbally" and "non-verbally"?

"Verbally" refers to communication using words, specifically spoken words. "Non-verbally" refers to communication without words, such as through body language, facial expressions, or gestures.