How about "seriously"?
How about "seriously"?
It's filler, basically. Like "basically" it can just be left out. Literally.
It's apparent it is being used by people who don't read. Literally.
I say "quite literally".
Runner1018 wrote:
I say "quite literally".
Is that like, "very unique"?
unfiguratively for the win
c7runner7 wrote:
just sayin yo wrote:
So you mean using it like figuratively?
That’s literally what’s he’s saying
"Literally" is not being used interchangeably with "figuratively", it's being used in a figurative way. There's a difference.
"I could eat a horse" is hyperbole.
With "I could literally eat a horse," the speaker is trying to strengthen the hyperbole by playfully claiming that the statement is literal.
With "I could figuratively eat a horse," the speaker is clarifying that the statement is not literal.
IMO using literally this way is rarely a good style choice. It usually just sounds like the speaker isn't thinking about what he's saying.
In addition to this usage being around for a very long time, as pointed out by 800 dude, it should be really obvious from context how you're using the word. OP, can you give me an example where you're genuinely concerned you might be misunderstood?
knox harrington wrote:
c7runner7 wrote:
That’s literally what’s he’s saying
"Literally" is not being used interchangeably with "figuratively", it's being used in a figurative way. There's a difference.
"I could eat a horse" is hyperbole.
With "I could literally eat a horse," the speaker is trying to strengthen the hyperbole by playfully claiming that the statement is literal.
With "I could figuratively eat a horse," the speaker is clarifying that the statement is not literal.
IMO using literally this way is rarely a good style choice. It usually just sounds like the speaker isn't thinking about what he's saying.
Again, you're giving MOST of these speakers too much credit. Way over 50% of people using the word in the sentence above SIMPLY don't know what literally means (very much unlike the famous/accomplished authors mentioned).
I'm like literally dying reading this post.
The new word used far too commonly and in the wrong context is "actually." As in "I actually had to work overtime yesterday."
I am assuming this is used to draw emphasis on the turmoil this caused the young millennial. It's yet another example of the "don't forget about me today" movement.
litdumb2 wrote:
knox harrington wrote:
"Literally" is not being used interchangeably with "figuratively", it's being used in a figurative way. There's a difference.
"I could eat a horse" is hyperbole.
With "I could literally eat a horse," the speaker is trying to strengthen the hyperbole by playfully claiming that the statement is literal.
With "I could figuratively eat a horse," the speaker is clarifying that the statement is not literal.
IMO using literally this way is rarely a good style choice. It usually just sounds like the speaker isn't thinking about what he's saying.
Again, you're giving MOST of these speakers too much credit. Way over 50% of people using the word in the sentence above SIMPLY don't know what literally means (very much unlike the famous/accomplished authors mentioned).
I very much doubt that. If native speakers don't know what the word literally literally means, using it awkwardly would literally be the least of their problems.
I cannot stand people who think others use the word “literally” wrong.
I’m literally going to kill the next person who does this to me.
No I don’t mean figuratively, I meant literally. It’s called hyperbole, I’m exaggerating. If I used ‘figuratively’ it would imply that I’m making some kind of metaphorical comparison, which I’m not doing, I’m just exaggerating.
You think you’re so high and mighty with your dead wrong grammatical hot takes.
Nobody has ever said literally when they meant figuratively.
Jogger262 wrote:
It’s been changed in current vernacular. I’m constantly telling my daughter that she is using the word incorrectly. I don’t think it’s getting through.
Literally is the new “like”.
Constantly? Yikes!
Funny post, but I UNEQUIVOCALLY think you’re a a dork.
I enjoyed this
This may seem like a joke thread, but the word 'literally' and phrase 'like literally' are helping to bastardize the language. 'Literally' should be used as defined. We can all do better and restore meaning to words.
The English language progresses because of the ignorance of most of its users. Literarily.
conorsleith wrote:
In addition to this usage being around for a very long time, as pointed out by 800 dude, it should be really obvious from context how you're using the word. OP, can you give me an example where you're genuinely concerned you might be misunderstood?
It came up because i was reading a post here and it continued the word "literally " every other sentence. Maybe every sentence. The thread is buried and I can't recall it. It was like crying wolf.
"The guy literally was running on the track and literally fell on the rail. I was literally scared for my life. I literally didn't know if he was OK. "
It was something like that. I didn't know which parts were hyperbole and which was used as a placeholder.
Oh. And Rojo does it a lot. But now I think he just caricatures his own writing.
knox harrington wrote:
litdumb2 wrote:
Again, you're giving MOST of these speakers too much credit. Way over 50% of people using the word in the sentence above SIMPLY don't know what literally means (very much unlike the famous/accomplished authors mentioned).
I very much doubt that. If native speakers don't know what the word literally literally means, using it awkwardly would literally be the least of their problems.
Seriously? Native speakers use poor grammar and words incorrectly all the time. You give Americans, at least, far too much credit. Ever seen the average American try to locate India or Australia on a map? One need not be an insufferable snob to know that there are a LOT of really ignorant people in this country. Now, not knowing what "literally" means is obviously not high on the importance list, but.....its common incorrect usage is mostly ignorance, plain and simple.
ienjoyracing wrote:
I cannot stand people who think others use the word “literally” wrong.
I’m literally going to kill the next person who does this to me.
No I don’t mean figuratively, I meant literally. It’s called hyperbole, I’m exaggerating. If I used ‘figuratively’ it would imply that I’m making some kind of metaphorical comparison, which I’m not doing, I’m just exaggerating.
You think you’re so high and mighty with your dead wrong grammatical hot takes.
Nobody has ever said literally when they meant figuratively.
Why in the world would you think that lots of Americans don't know what a given word means? It's true of LITERALLY thousands of words, so why do you find it impossible to believe that it's true of literally?
Hint: It is.