Cool MateExtensively vs Greatly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Extensively
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Greatly
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Extensively | Greatly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstensɪvli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstensɪvli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈɡreɪtli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈɡreɪtli/"]/ |
| Meaning | In a very detailed and wide-ranging way. | a lot or very much |
| Example | She has travelled extensively. | People's reaction to the film has varied greatly. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | research extensively, study extensively, travel extensively, document extensively | greatly improve, greatly appreciate, greatly enhance, greatly affect |
| Antonyms | superficially, shallowly | slightly, partially, minimally |
| Common mistakes | Confuse with 'intensively' which means deeply focused but not necessarily wide in scope., Using it in a sentence where the action isn't broad or detailed enough., Incorrectly using it as a noun instead of an adverb. | Using 'greatly' incorrectly with nouns instead of verbs or adjectives., Confusing 'greatly' with 'great' as an adjective., Overusing 'greatly' in informal settings. |
| Usage notes | Use 'extensively' when describing actions that are done in-depth or in a large scope. It is appropriate in both spoken and written contexts but may feel overly formal in casual conversations. | Use 'greatly' to emphasize the extent of a feeling, action, or quality, especially in formal contexts. Avoid in casual conversations where simpler words like 'really' might fit better. |
See it in real clips
Frequently asked questions: Extensively vs Greatly
What's the difference between Extensively and Greatly?
Extensively: In a very detailed and wide-ranging way. Greatly: a lot or very much
Are Extensively and Greatly the same CEFR level?
Extensively: B2, Greatly: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Extensively and Greatly?
Extensively: adverb, Greatly: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Extensively: She has travelled extensively. Greatly: People's reaction to the film has varied greatly.
Can I use Extensively and Greatly interchangeably?
Not always. Extensively and Greatly 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.