very funny

USAGE SUMMARY

"very funny" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe something humorous, such as a joke or situation. For example, "The clown at the birthday party was very funny!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

It's very funny.

Cornell University

Q. You're very funny.

The New York Times

And also very funny.

The New York Times

Ha-ha, very funny.

The New York Times - Sports

Humiliation is very funny.

The New Yorker

"Very clever, very funny.

The New York Times

ANDY: Very funny.

The New Yorker

Very funny Stuff!

The New Yorker

"You were very funny".

The New Yorker

She's very funny".

The New York Times - Sports

A very funny piece.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very funny" to describe situations or people that are genuinely amusing. Consider stronger synonyms like "hilarious" or "uproarious" for greater emphasis.

Common error

While "very funny" is acceptable in most situations, avoid overuse in formal writing where more sophisticated language might be appropriate. Opt for phrases like "highly amusing" or "quite comical" in those settings.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "very funny" is as an adjective phrase modifying a noun or pronoun. It describes the quality of something being amusing or humorous. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is correct and frequently used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Academia

14%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

18%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very funny" is a commonly used and grammatically sound adjective phrase employed to describe something amusing. Ludwig AI confirms this assessment. While versatile and appropriate in most contexts, it's advisable to consider more sophisticated synonyms like "hilarious" or "uproarious" for greater emphasis, or "highly amusing" in formal settings. Its frequent presence in news media highlights its widespread acceptance and understanding, making it a reliable choice for expressing amusement. Remember that context is key. While "very funny" is generally acceptable, using more descriptive language can enhance the impact of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hilarious

A stronger adjective indicating extreme amusement.

downright hilarious

Emphasizes the extreme level of funniness.

sidesplitting

Implies a very intense and physical reaction to humor.

uproarious

Similar to sidesplitting, indicating loud and energetic laughter.

highly amusing

A more formal way to say something is funny.

rib-tickling

An informal way to describe something that is funny.

quite comical

Highlights the comedic nature of something.

a barrel of laughs

An idiomatic expression indicating something is extremely funny.

laughable

Suggests something provokes laughter, sometimes with a hint of ridicule.

witty

Describes humor that is clever and intelligent.

FAQs

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

You can use "very funny" to describe something amusing, like "The movie was "very funny"" or "He's a "very funny" guy".

What are some alternatives to "very funny"?

Alternatives include "hilarious", "highly amusing", "quite comical", or "downright hilarious" depending on the level of amusement.

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

While generally acceptable, consider more formal alternatives like "highly amusing" or "quite comical" in academic or professional contexts.

What is the difference between "very funny" and "hilarious"?

"Very funny" is a general term for something amusing, while "hilarious" indicates a higher degree of amusement, suggesting something is extremely funny.