How to use literally in a sentence Frequently asked questions about literally. If you translate literally, you translate each word in a text separately, without looking at how the words are used together in a phrase or sentence: Literally is an english adverb meaning in a literal sense or manner or an intensifier which strengthens the associated statement It has been used as an intensifier in english for several centuries, though recently this has been considered somewhat controversial by linguistic prescriptivists. In the literal or strict sense.
See examples of literally used in a sentence. What is an example of the word literally as it was first used Any situation where you are stating exactly what is happening or what is true can use literally with its original meaning. Since the early 20th century, literally has been widely used as an intensifier meaning “in effect, virtually” The senator was literally buried alive in the june primaries. You use literally to emphasize that what you are saying is true, even though it seems exaggerated or surprising.
Word for word, exactly as stated Without overstatement or understatement, or false or misleading words He's prone to exaggeration, so don't take what he says literally There are literally millions of individual pieces of space debris orbiting earth. The adverb literally means actually, and we use it when we want others to know we're serious, not exaggerating or being metaphorical If your mom complains that your room is overflowing with clothes, she probably doesn't mean this literally.
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