How to use usually, very and really correctly

How to use usually, very and really correctly

English can be a difficult language to master – there are so many rules to remember! But if you want to sound like a native speaker, there are three little words you should definitely know how to use correctly: usually, very, and really. In this article, we’ll show you how these words can change the meaning of what you’re saying, and how to use them correctly in a sentence.

Let’s start with usually. This word indicates that something happens regularly, or more often than not. For example, you might say “I usually have a cup of coffee in the morning.” This means that most mornings, you have a cup of coffee. Or, you might say “The sun usually rises in the east.” This means that most of the time, the sun rises in the east.

Now let’s look at very. This word is used to emphasize something – to make it sound stronger or more important. For example, you might say “I’m very tired.” This means that you’re very exhausted, and can’t keep your eyes open. Or, you might say “That was a very brave thing to do.” This means that you think what they did was incredibly courageous.

Finally, let’s look at really. Like very, this word is used to emphasize something. However, it can also be used to express surprise. For example, you might say “I can’t believe she really said that!” This means that you’re surprised that she actually said those words out loud. Or, you might say “I didn’t realize it was really going to be this cold.” This means that you’re shocked

What is the difference between

Usually, very, and really are all adverbs that can be used to modify adjectives and other adverbs. They all have different shades of meaning, so it is important to choose the right one for the context.

Here are some examples:

He is usually late for work.
This means that he frequently arrives late to work.

He is very late for work.
This means that he is extremely late to work, and it might be a problem.

He is really late for work.
This means that he is so late that it’s unreasonable, and it’s likely to cause problems

So, the difference is one of degree. “Usually” just means that something happens frequently, “very” means that it happens to a great extent, and “really” means that it happens to an unreasonable extent.

How do you use each word correctly?

When you’re writing in English, it’s important to use the right words to convey your meaning. This is especially true when using words like “usually,” “very,” and “really.” Each of these words has a specific meaning and can change the tone of your writing. Here’s a quick guide on how to use each word correctly.

“Usually” means that something happens most of the time. For example, you might say “I usually have coffee for breakfast.” This means that you typically have coffee in the morning, though there are exceptions.

“Very” is used to emphasize something. For example, you might say “I’m very tired.” This means that you’re more tired than usual.

“Really” is also used for emphasis, but it can also be used to express surprise. For example, you might say “I can’t believe she said that! She’s really rude.” In this case, you’re emphasizing how surprised you are by what she said.

Examples of each word in a sentence

One common error that non-native English speakers make is using the words “usually,” “very,” and “really” incorrectly. Here are some examples of how to use these words correctly in a sentence:

I usually go for a run in the morning.

This means that going for a run is something that you do on a regular basis. If you wanted to say that you sometimes go for a run in the morning, you would say “I sometimes go for a run in the morning.”

I’m very tired.

This means that you are feeling a strong emotion of tiredness. If you wanted to say that you are slightly tired, you would say “I’m sort of tired.”

That restaurant is really good.

This means that you think highly of the restaurant. If you wanted to say that the restaurant is not very good, you would say “That restaurant is sort of bad.”

When to use each word

“Usually”, “Very”, and “Really” are all adverbs that can be used to modify adjectives and verbs. They each have a different meaning and connotation, so it’s important to choose the right one for the situation.

Here are some guidelines for when to use each word:

• Usually refers to something that happens often or is typical. For example, “I usually have a coffee in the morning.”
•  Very refers to something that is extreme or intense. For example, “I’m very tired.”
• Really refers to something that is true or genuine. For example, “I really enjoy spending time with you.”

Thank you for reading!

This was written by me. Bryce Purnell, founder of Learn Laugh Speak.

Check out more on my Medium or send me an email if you’re ever curious about anything at all 

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