you really are

USAGE SUMMARY

'you really are' is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize something about someone. For example, "You really are one of a kind!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

You really are posh.

The Guardian - Opinion

"You really are a house.

The New York Times - Books

Maybe you really are boring.

Yale University

You really are shown up.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

You really are so cheeky.

The Guardian - Film

"You really are an artist," Perry said.

The New Yorker

You really are a piece of work.

Independent

You really are a very talented man".

Independent

Gail: Wow, you really are unhappy.

The New York Times

You really are a monstrous little boy".

The New York Times - Books

"Jesus, you really are a shallow bitch".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "you really are" to emphasize a quality, state, or characteristic of the person you are addressing. For example, "You really are a talented artist" conveys stronger affirmation than "You are a talented artist."

Common error

While "you really are" is acceptable in most contexts, avoid overuse in highly formal writing where more sophisticated vocabulary might be appropriate. Instead, consider alternatives like "indeed you are" or rephrasing for emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "you really are" functions as an emphatic affirmation or confirmation. It serves to reinforce a statement about the person being addressed, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples, such as "You really are a piece of work" or "You really are a true friend."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

61%

Wiki

22%

Academia

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "you really are" is a versatile and frequently used expression for emphasizing a quality or state of the person being addressed. It functions as an emphatic affirmation or confirmation, serving to express agreement, admiration, or even surprise. Ludwig AI analysis shows it's grammatically correct and widely accepted, as also confirmed by Ludwig. While suitable for diverse contexts, it's most prevalent in News & Media. When writing, consider the level of formality required and, if necessary, opt for more sophisticated alternatives. With the appropriate context and delivery, "you really are" is an impactful phrase in various settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

you genuinely are

Replaces "really" with "genuinely", emphasizing authenticity.

you truly are

Substitutes "really" with "truly", indicating sincerity.

you actually are

Replaces "really" with "actually", highlighting unexpectedness.

you certainly are

Uses "certainly" instead of "really" to convey assurance.

you definitely are

Employs "definitely" to suggest a firm confirmation.

you indeed are

Swaps "really" with "indeed" for a more formal tone.

you certainly seem to be

Adds "seem to be", introducing a degree of observation or inference.

it is true that you are

Rephrases the statement to explicitly acknowledge the truth of something about the person.

i can see that you are

Implies the speaker's observation and acknowledgment of a quality or state.

it appears that you are

Adds a layer of observation, indicating that something is evident.

FAQs

How can I use "you really are" in a sentence?

Use "you really are" to emphasize a specific quality or characteristic you observe in someone. For example, "You really are brave for facing your fears" or "You really are kind to help others."

What phrases are similar to "you really are"?

Alternatives include "you truly are", "you genuinely are", or "you certainly are". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it grammatically correct to say "you really are"?

Yes, "you really are" is grammatically correct. It follows standard English sentence structure and is widely used in both spoken and written language.

When is it appropriate to use "you really are"?

"You really are" is appropriate in various contexts, from casual conversation to more formal settings, to emphasize a point about the person being addressed. However, be mindful of the tone and choose alternatives such as "you certainly are" for higher formality.