Cool MateDefinitely vs It sure as hell was
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Definitely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
It sure as hell was
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Most formal: DefinitelyMost common: Definitely
| Definitely | It sure as hell was | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdefɪnətli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 //ɪt ʃʊə əz hɛl wəz//🇺🇸 //ɪt ʃʊr æz hɛl wəz// |
| Meaning | For sure, without a doubt | A strong way to agree with something. |
| Example | I definitely remember sending the letter. | It sure as hell was a great game! |
| Register | Neutral | Informal |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 5,000 (fairly common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | - |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | definitely agree, definitely believe, definitely know | it sure as hell, was amazing, was worth it, was fun, was a great idea |
| Antonyms | doubtfully, uncertainly | - |
| Common mistakes | Often confused with 'defiantly' which means resisting authority., Sometimes spelled incorrectly as 'definately'. | Using in very formal contexts., Misplacing the phrase within a sentence., Overusing for every agreement. |
| Usage notes | Use 'definitely' to emphasize certainty. It fits well in both spoken and written English. Avoid using it in overly formal contexts where alternatives like 'certainly' might be more suitable. | Used for emphasis when agreeing emphatically. Avoid in formal writing; best for conversations or texts. |
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Frequently asked questions: Definitely vs It sure as hell was
What's the difference between Definitely and It sure as hell was?
Definitely: For sure, without a doubt It sure as hell was: A strong way to agree with something.
Which is more formal: Definitely and It sure as hell was?
Definitely is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: Definitely and It sure as hell was?
Definitely is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
Definitely: I definitely remember sending the letter. It sure as hell was: It sure as hell was a great game!
Can I use Definitely and It sure as hell was interchangeably?
Not always. Definitely and It sure as hell was are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.