Explanation at your level:
You use strongly to show that something is very big or very powerful. If you believe something, you can say 'I strongly believe.' It is like saying 'very much' but for actions or feelings. You use it when you are sure about your ideas.
When you do something strongly, you do it with a lot of energy. For example, if you hold a rope strongly, you do not let it go. We also use it for opinions. If you strongly disagree with a friend, it means you have a very different idea than they do.
At this level, you will notice strongly is a common 'intensifier.' We use it to make our verbs sound more important. Instead of saying 'I suggest,' you say 'I strongly recommend' to show you really want someone to do something. It is very useful in business or school when you want to be clear and firm.
Strongly is perfect for expressing nuance in your arguments. When you write an essay or give a presentation, using strongly helps you show the intensity of your stance. It distinguishes between a mild opinion and a firm conviction. It is a staple of professional communication.
In advanced English, strongly is used to convey conviction in abstract contexts. You might say a policy is strongly contested or that a character in a novel is strongly motivated by greed. It adds a layer of intellectual weight to your sentences, showing that your observations are based on clear evidence or deep-seated beliefs.
At the mastery level, strongly functions as a tool for precision. It allows writers to calibrate the exact degree of force behind a verb. Whether describing the strongly aromatic scent of a rare spice or the strongly held traditions of an ancient culture, the word serves as a bridge between mere description and emotional or physical impact. It is a versatile adverb that remains essential across all literary and academic genres.
Word in 30 Seconds
- Adverb of intensity
- Used for opinions
- Modifies verbs
- Neutral register
When you use the word strongly, you are adding emphasis to an action or a feeling. It acts as a booster for verbs, telling the listener that something is not just happening, but happening with significant intensity.
Think of it as the difference between 'I like this' and 'I strongly support this.' One is a casual preference, while the other shows a deep, firm commitment. Whether you are pushing a door strongly or strongly disagreeing with a rule, you are showing that you mean business.
The word strongly comes from the Old English word strang, which meant 'strong' or 'firm.' It is part of the Germanic language family, sharing roots with the German word streng, which means 'strict' or 'severe.'
Over centuries, the suffix -ly was added to turn the adjective strong into an adverb. Historically, it was used to describe physical feats of power, like a knight fighting strongly in battle. As the language evolved, the meaning expanded from just physical muscle to include mental and emotional 'muscle' or conviction.
You will find strongly used most often with verbs of opinion or feeling. Common partners include strongly believe, strongly recommend, and strongly disagree.
It works well in both professional emails and casual conversation. In formal writing, it adds weight to your arguments, making your position sound well-considered and firm. In casual speech, it helps you express your personality and how much you care about a specific topic.
While strongly itself isn't always the core of an idiom, it appears in many set phrases. 1. Strongly worded: A letter or speech that is very firm or angry. 2. Come on strongly: To behave in a very direct or aggressive way. 3. Strongly suspected: To have a very firm belief about something without proof. 4. Strongly influenced: To be heavily changed by someone else. 5. Strongly inclined: To have a very firm desire to do something.
Strongly is an adverb, so it typically modifies a verb, an adjective, or another adverb. It does not have a plural form because it is not a noun. The stress is on the first syllable: STRONG-lee.
In British English, the 'o' is often rounded, while in American English, it may sound slightly more like 'ah.' It rhymes with words like wrongly, longly (rare), and songly (rare). Remember that it is almost always placed before the main verb it modifies, such as 'I strongly suggest.'
Fun Fact
The root 'strang' meant 'severe' in early Germanic languages.
Pronunciation Guide
Short 'o' sound.
Longer 'o' sound.
Common Errors
- Pronouncing the 'g' too hard
- Adding an extra syllable
- Misplacing the stress
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Adverb placement
I strongly agree.
Examples by Level
I strongly believe in you.
I believe very much.
Modifies 'believe'.
Hold the rope strongly.
Hold very tight.
Modifies 'hold'.
He strongly likes music.
He really likes it.
Adverb + Verb.
She strongly wants to go.
She really wants to.
Adverb + Verb.
They strongly agree.
They agree a lot.
Adverb + Verb.
I strongly feel happy.
I feel very happy.
Adverb + Verb.
Eat strongly for health.
Eat well/enough.
Adverb + Verb.
Run strongly today.
Run with energy.
Adverb + Verb.
I strongly recommend this book.
The wind blew strongly last night.
He strongly denied the rumor.
We strongly support the team.
She strongly dislikes cold weather.
The coffee smells strongly of beans.
They argued strongly for the plan.
The flavor is strongly sweet.
The committee strongly opposed the new law.
I strongly advise you to take a break.
He is strongly influenced by his father.
The report is strongly critical of the project.
She strongly suggests we leave early.
The medicine tastes strongly of mint.
They are strongly connected to the community.
The evidence strongly points to him.
The candidate strongly emphasized the need for change.
I strongly suspect he knows the truth.
The two ideas are strongly contrasted in the text.
She is strongly committed to her research.
The local culture is strongly rooted in tradition.
We strongly urge you to reconsider.
The argument was strongly worded.
He feels strongly about human rights.
The novel is strongly evocative of the Victorian era.
The theory is strongly supported by recent data.
His views are strongly at odds with mine.
The painting is strongly reminiscent of Picasso.
The team is strongly positioned to win.
The message was strongly implied rather than stated.
The industry is strongly regulated by the state.
The debate was strongly polarized.
The author strongly critiques the social norms of the time.
The structure is strongly indicative of ancient design.
The movement was strongly underpinned by radical philosophy.
The aroma was strongly redolent of summer rain.
The decision was strongly predicated on economic factors.
The narrative is strongly imbued with symbolism.
The outcome was strongly contingent on the weather.
The policy is strongly antithetical to our values.
Common Collocations
Idioms & Expressions
"come on strongly"
to be very forward or aggressive
He came on strongly at the party.
casual"strongly worded"
firm and serious in tone
She sent a strongly worded complaint.
formal"feel strongly about"
to have a deep opinion
I feel strongly about recycling.
neutral"strongly inclined"
to have a strong tendency
I am strongly inclined to agree.
formal"strongly represented"
to have a large number present
The youth were strongly represented.
neutral"strongly felt"
deeply experienced
The loss was strongly felt by all.
formalEasily Confused
Both imply force.
Heavily is for physical weight or rain.
It rained heavily.
Both mean strong.
Firmly is for physical grip or stance.
He stood firmly.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + strongly + verb
I strongly disagree.
Subject + is + strongly + adjective
He is strongly opposed.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
8/10
Formality Scale
Common Mistakes
Strongly is usually for opinions/convictions, not simple likes.
Strongly does not describe speed.
Strongly is too formal for simple desires.
Strongly does not modify adjectives of appearance.
Heavily is the correct collocation for rain.
Tips
Use with 'Believe'
Always pair 'strongly' with 'believe' to show conviction.
Placement
Place it before the verb.
Etymology
It shares roots with 'strict'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
STRONG + LY = Strong-Lee (like a strong person named Lee).
Visual Association
A person holding a heavy weight with a firm face.
Word Web
Challenge
Write 3 sentences using 'strongly' about your favorite food.
Word Origin
Old English
Original meaning: firm, robust
Cultural Context
None.
Used frequently in business and political discourse to show firmness.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Business
- strongly recommend
- strongly suggest
- strongly support
Debate
- strongly disagree
- strongly argue
- strongly oppose
Conversation Starters
"What do you strongly believe in?"
"Do you strongly recommend any movies?"
"Why do you strongly support your favorite team?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you strongly disagreed with someone.
What is something you strongly recommend to others?
Frequently Asked Questions
8 questionsNo, it is an adverb.
No, it works best with verbs of opinion or feeling.
It is neutral and works in most contexts.
Weakly or mildly.
No, adverbs don't have plurals.
STRONG-lee.
Yes, very common in professional English.
Yes, it is great for recommendations.
Test Yourself
I ___ believe in you.
Strongly fits with belief.
Which means to disagree with force?
Strongly adds force.
Can you say 'strongly fast'?
Strongly does not modify speed.
Word
Meaning
Definitions match.
Adverb goes before the verb.
Score: /5
Summary
Use 'strongly' to add force and conviction to your opinions.
- Adverb of intensity
- Used for opinions
- Modifies verbs
- Neutral register
Use with 'Believe'
Always pair 'strongly' with 'believe' to show conviction.
Placement
Place it before the verb.
Etymology
It shares roots with 'strict'.
Related Content
Learn it in Context
This Word in Other Languages
More general words
a lot of
A2A large amount or number of; plenty of.
about
A1On the subject of; concerning something.
above
A2In a higher place than something or someone.
accident
A2An unfortunate event causing damage or injury.
action
A2The process of doing something, typically to achieve an aim.
after
A2Following in time or place; later than.
afterward
A2At a later or subsequent time.
again
A2Another time; once more.
aged
B1Of a specified age.
alive
A2Living, not dead.
