very properly

USAGE SUMMARY

"very properly" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that something has been done in an appropriate, accepted, or correct way. For example, "The invitation was very properly sent out to all of the members of the club."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

And this is very properly done indeed.

The Guardian - Books

The OBR had done its work very properly, he observed, the model of noble politesse.

The Guardian - Business

I thought it was hilarious, but she had been brought up very properly and didn't get it.

The New York Times

Mr Prodi has very properly produced a code of conduct for commissioners and reshuffled top officials to break up fiefs.

The Economist

The Perry campaign "did it very properly," Mr. Pardo said, adding that he believed $21,000 is about what it cost to use the plane for the flights.

The New York Times

Here, very properly, Mr. Vickers surrendered to the brutality of his character -- but not at the expense of the protective, flooding tenderness he feels for his conniving mistress.

The New York Times - Arts

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

I spoke to people at decent clubs, very good properly run clubs, and for whatever reason I wasn't offered the job, but that's probably a good thing, because I didn't have any enthusiasm and hunger.

The Guardian - Sport

Barclays said the changes represented "a very orderly, properly organised transition", but some shareholders begged to differ with one saying that Mr Varley lacked vision.

The Guardian - Business

A result is that it is very important properly to excite the so-called low-gain direction of the system.

IFAC Proceedings Volumes

In the middle to late 90s, very few properly financed Australian movies were looking seriously at the dark side of the Australian psyche in a way that challenged the audiences' expectations of contemporary screen language.

Vice

It's very smart and properly exciting.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "very properly" to emphasize that an action or decision aligns with established standards, especially when acknowledging adherence to rules or ethical considerations.

Common error

Avoid using "very properly" in casual or informal settings where it might sound overly formal or stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "correctly" or "appropriately" in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The adverbial phrase "very properly" functions to modify a verb, adjective, or another adverb, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. As demonstrated by Ludwig AI, it emphasizes that something is done correctly and appropriately. Its use adds a layer of formality and precision to the statement.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Science

8%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "very properly" is a phrase used to emphasize that an action or decision is correct, appropriate, and adheres to established norms. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically sound and commonly found in formal writing, particularly in News & Media. While it conveys a sense of approval and endorsement, it's best to avoid overusing it in casual conversation, as it can come across as overly formal. Alternatives like "entirely appropriately" or "perfectly correctly" can be used to convey similar meanings with slightly different nuances. Overall, "very properly" is a useful phrase to highlight correctness and propriety in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely appropriately

Replaces "very properly" with synonyms that emphasize suitability and correctness, providing a slightly more formal tone.

completely appropriately

Emphasizes the full extent of the appropriateness, differing in intensity while keeping the core meaning.

wholly appropriately

Similar to 'completely appropriately' but sounds more formal and emphatic.

perfectly correctly

Substitutes "very properly" with terms that highlight accuracy and precision, modifying the focus from appropriateness to exactness.

quite rightly

Offers a more succinct alternative to "very properly", maintaining the sense of justification and correctness, with a slightly more British English feel.

entirely correctly

Similar to 'perfectly correctly' but sounds slightly less formal.

in a very proper manner

Rephrases "very properly" to focus on the method or way something is done, adding a slight emphasis on procedure.

in a highly suitable way

Focuses on the high degree of suitability, changing the construction from an adverb to an adjectival phrase.

with due propriety

More formal and highlights the respect shown for established standards of behavior, altering the tone to be more respectful.

perfectly acceptably

Implies actions meet general standards or expectations, changing focus from correctness to social acceptance.

FAQs

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

You can use "very properly" to emphasize that something has been done in a correct, suitable, or ethical way. For example, "The matter was "handled very properly" by the authorities."

What are some alternatives to "very properly"?

Alternatives include "entirely appropriately", "perfectly correctly", or "quite rightly", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "very properly" suitable for all types of writing?

While grammatically correct, "very properly" is more suited to formal writing or situations where you want to emphasize adherence to standards. In more casual contexts, simpler words might be more appropriate.

What's the difference between "very properly" and "entirely appropriately"?

"Very properly" highlights correctness and adherence to standards, while "entirely appropriately" emphasizes the suitability of an action or decision. The choice depends on whether you want to stress correctness or suitability.