Explanation at your level:
You use really to show that something is true. If you are happy, you can say 'I am really happy.' It makes your words stronger. Use it before an adjective like 'good' or 'big.' It is a very helpful word for you!
Use really when you want to emphasize your opinion. For example, 'This food is really delicious.' You can also use it to ask questions. If a friend tells you a story, you can say 'Really?' to show you are listening and interested.
At this level, you can use really to express degrees of intensity. It is common to say 'I really enjoy' or 'I really don't like.' It helps you sound more natural and expressive when you talk about your daily life, work, or hobbies with other people.
You can use really to add nuance to your speech. It often acts as a softener or an intensifier depending on your tone. In B2, you might notice how it distinguishes between 'I am tired' (a fact) and 'I am really tired' (a state requiring rest). It is a staple of natural, conversational English.
At the advanced level, really serves as a bridge between casual and semi-formal registers. You might use it in a debate to emphasize a point ('The data really suggests...') or to convey subtle irony. While academic writing might prefer 'substantially,' really remains essential for maintaining a natural, persuasive flow in presentations and discussions.
For mastery, understand that really is a 'pragmatic marker.' It does not just modify adjectives; it manages the flow of discourse. It can signal empathy, skepticism, or genuine surprise. Its etymological roots in 'reality' allow it to function as a tool for grounding arguments in truth. In literature, authors use it to capture the cadence of human speech, making characters feel authentic and relatable to the reader.
Palavra em 30 segundos
- Really is an adverb of degree.
- It means 'in actual fact' or 'very'.
- It is used to add emphasis.
- It is common in daily conversation.
Hey there! Really is one of those super-handy words that shows up in almost every conversation. At its heart, it is used to emphasize that something is true or genuine. Think of it as a way to add a little extra weight to your sentences.
You can also use it as an intensifier to make adjectives stronger. For example, saying 'it is cold' is fine, but saying 'it is really cold' tells your friend exactly how much you are shivering! It is a friendly, versatile word that helps you express your feelings clearly.
The word really has a straightforward history. It comes from the Middle English word real, which was borrowed from Old French reel, meaning 'actual' or 'existing.' This ultimately traces back to the Latin word realis, which comes from res, meaning 'thing.'
By adding the suffix -ly, which turns adjectives into adverbs, the word evolved to describe how something is done in an 'actual' or 'real' manner. Over the centuries, its usage expanded from just meaning 'in reality' to becoming a common way to add emphasis in everyday speech.
In daily life, really is your best friend. It is perfectly acceptable in almost every casual and semi-formal situation. You will hear it used to agree with people ('I really think so') or to show surprise ('Really? You went there?').
When it comes to collocations, it loves to hang out with adjectives and verbs. You will often hear 'really good,' 'really fast,' or 'really want.' Just be careful not to overuse it in formal writing, as academic papers sometimes prefer more precise intensifiers like 'significantly' or 'extremely.'
- Really and truly: Used to emphasize that something is completely true. 'I am really and truly sorry.'
- Really something: Used to describe something impressive. 'That sunset was really something!'
- Get real: A command to be practical. 'Get real, you can't fly to the moon!'
- Really? A simple question used to show disbelief.
- In reality: A more formal way to say 'really.'
Grammatically, really is an adverb of degree. It usually goes before the adjective or verb it modifies. In British English, it is often pronounced with two syllables, while in fast American speech, it can sometimes sound like one long syllable.
IPA (UK): /ˈriːəli/. IPA (US): /ˈriːli/. It rhymes with words like freely, steely, and mealy. Remember, it is not a noun or a verb, so it never changes form—it stays really no matter who is talking!
Fun Fact
The root 'res' in Latin means 'thing', which is why 'real' means 'thing-like'.
Pronunciation Guide
Clear 'ree-uh-lee' sound.
Often sounds like 'reel-ee'.
Common Errors
- Adding an extra syllable
- Pronouncing it like 'really'
- Mumbling the 'ly'
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
easy
easy
easy
easy
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Avançado
Grammar to Know
Adverb placement
I really like it.
Intensifiers
Really hot.
Word order
Really good.
Examples by Level
I am really happy.
I am very happy.
Adverb + Adjective
This is really good.
This is very good.
Adverb + Adjective
I really like pizza.
I like pizza a lot.
Adverb + Verb
It is really cold.
It is very cold.
Adverb + Adjective
Really?
Is that true?
Interjection
She is really nice.
She is very kind.
Adverb + Adjective
I really want to go.
I want to go a lot.
Adverb + Verb
It is really late.
It is very late.
Adverb + Adjective
I really need to sleep.
He is really tall.
That was really fun!
I really hope so.
It is really important.
They really worked hard.
Are you really sure?
I really love this song.
I really appreciate your help.
It is really difficult to decide.
She is really into yoga.
I really don't know what to do.
That is a really interesting point.
We really should leave now.
He really tried his best.
I really miss my friends.
I really couldn't care less.
It really goes without saying.
That really makes a difference.
I really meant what I said.
It really is a matter of time.
You really ought to see this.
It really took me by surprise.
I really don't think that is fair.
The evidence really points to a conclusion.
It really is quite a remarkable achievement.
I really find his argument compelling.
She really has a way with words.
It really does not matter at this stage.
He really is a man of his word.
That really is the crux of the issue.
I really must insist on staying.
The situation really is quite precarious.
It really transcends simple explanation.
One really must consider the implications.
It really defies all conventional logic.
He really is the epitome of grace.
The outcome really was inevitable.
It really serves to highlight the irony.
I really would not dare to suggest otherwise.
Colocações comuns
Idioms & Expressions
"really and truly"
Completely and honestly.
I am really and truly finished.
neutral"get real"
Stop being unrealistic.
Get real, we don't have that much money.
casual"really something"
Impressive.
That car is really something!
casual"for real"
Honestly or permanently.
Are you leaving for real?
casual"really, really"
Very much so.
I am really, really tired.
casual"really though"
Used to return to a serious point.
It was funny, but really though, we need to go.
casualEasily Confused
Same root.
Real is an adjective; really is an adverb.
A real (adj) apple; really (adv) good.
Similar meaning.
Very is more formal.
Very hot vs really hot.
Both imply truth.
Actually corrects a belief.
It is actually true.
Similar meaning.
Truly implies sincerity.
Truly sorry.
Sentence Patterns
Subject + verb + really + adjective
He is really smart.
Subject + really + verb
I really want this.
Really + question word
Really, why?
It + verb + really + adjective
It is really hard.
I + really + verb + that
I really believe that.
Família de palavras
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Relacionado
How to Use It
10/10
Formality Scale
Erros comuns
Using both is redundant.
Do not use 'am' with a verb.
Avoid over-using really.
Grammatically fine, but watch tone.
Fast is already an adverb.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'Real' stamp on your hand.
When Native Speakers Use It
To show interest in stories.
Cultural Insight
It's a polite way to show agreement.
Grammar Shortcut
Adverb + Adjective.
Say It Right
Keep it smooth.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't use 'very' and 'really' together.
Did You Know?
It comes from the Latin word for 'thing'.
Study Smart
Practice with 'I really...' sentences.
Better Writing
Use 'significantly' instead of 'really'.
Sound Natural
Use 'Really?' to show surprise.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Real + Ly = Truly.
Visual Association
A bright red stamp saying 'REAL'.
Word Web
Desafio
Use 'really' 5 times today.
Origem da palavra
Old French / Latin
Original meaning: Actual or existing
Contexto cultural
None
Used constantly in US and UK English to show engagement.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at school
- really hard test
- really interesting book
- really good teacher
travel
- really far away
- really nice view
- really expensive hotel
work
- really busy day
- really good idea
- really important meeting
daily life
- really tired
- really hungry
- really happy
Conversation Starters
"What is something you really want to do?"
"Are you really sure about that?"
"What is a really good movie you saw?"
"Do you really like your job?"
"What is something that is really important to you?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you were really surprised.
Describe a really good meal you had.
What is something you really want to change?
Write about a really happy memory.
Perguntas frequentes
8 perguntasUse it sparingly; 'extremely' is often better.
No, it is an adverb.
R-E-A-L-L-Y.
Yes, for extra emphasis.
No, adverbs don't have plurals.
It is neutral.
That is casual/slang.
Yes, as an interjection.
Teste-se
I ___ like this cake.
Really is an adverb here.
Which means 'very'?
Really acts as an intensifier.
Really can modify an adjective.
Yes, e.g., 'really hot'.
Word
Significado
Synonym matching.
Adverb placement.
Pontuação: /5
Summary
Really is your go-to word for adding truth and intensity to your English sentences!
- Really is an adverb of degree.
- It means 'in actual fact' or 'very'.
- It is used to add emphasis.
- It is common in daily conversation.
Memory Palace Trick
Imagine a 'Real' stamp on your hand.
When Native Speakers Use It
To show interest in stories.
Cultural Insight
It's a polite way to show agreement.
Grammar Shortcut
Adverb + Adjective.
Exemplo
I really appreciate your help.
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above
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afterward
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all
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