very friendly

USAGE SUMMARY

"very friendly" is a correct and commonly used phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that has a welcoming or warm personality. For example, "My new neighbor is very friendly and always willing to help me out."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Very friendly".

The New York Times

Two very friendly women.

The New York Times

"She's very friendly.

The New York Times - Sports

Very friendly staff.

The New York Times

"Everyone was very friendly.

The Guardian - Sport

"We are very friendly.

The Guardian - Film

It's very friendly here.

The New York Times

He's very friendly, too".

The New York Times - Sports

And not very friendly.

The Guardian - Travel

"Very friendly, very talkative".

The New York Times

They're very friendly people".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very friendly" to describe people, animals, places, or atmospheres that exhibit a high degree of warmth and sociability. For example, "The staff at the hotel were very friendly and helpful."

Common error

Avoid using "very friendly" to describe inanimate objects that cannot logically possess friendliness. Instead of saying "This app is very friendly", consider "This app is user-friendly" or "This app is intuitive".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "very friendly" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun to describe its characteristic of being approachable and amicable. As Ludwig AI states, it's correct and commonly used. Examples include describing people, animals, or places.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very friendly" is a grammatically correct and commonly used adjectival phrase to describe something or someone that is welcoming and approachable. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is widespread across diverse contexts. While generally neutral, consider using more formal alternatives for academic or professional settings. It is seen in News & Media, Science, and Formal & Business contexts. Be sure to avoid overusing it with inanimate objects incapable of expressing genuine friendliness.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

genuinely warm

Emphasizes the sincerity of the friendliness, suggesting authenticity.

extremely amiable

Replaces "friendly" with "amiable" and "very" with "extremely", intensifying the positive connotation.

exceptionally welcoming

Highlights the welcoming nature of the subject, emphasizing their hospitality.

highly approachable

Focuses on the ease with which someone can be approached, rather than their friendliness.

awfully good-natured

Stresses their pleasant disposition, suggesting a consistently positive attitude.

remarkably kind

Shifts the focus to kindness, a related but distinct quality.

particularly sociable

Focuses on the subject's enjoyment of social interaction.

incredibly outgoing

Highlights the person's extroverted nature.

ever so agreeable

Emphasizes a willingness to agree and get along well with others.

quite companionable

Highlights the subject's ability to be a good companion.

FAQs

How can I use "very friendly" in a sentence?

You can use "very friendly" to describe someone or something that is welcoming and approachable. For instance, "The new puppy is "very friendly" and loves to play with everyone".

What are some alternatives to saying "very friendly"?

Alternatives include "extremely amiable", "highly approachable", or "genuinely warm", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "very friendly" in formal writing?

While "very friendly" is generally acceptable, more formal alternatives like "exceptionally welcoming" or "remarkably kind" might be preferred in highly formal contexts.

What's the difference between "friendly" and "very friendly"?

"Friendly" indicates a general sense of warmth and sociability. "Very friendly" intensifies this, suggesting a higher degree of warmth and approachability. You could also consider something like "especially cordial".