Cool MateGenuinely vs Seriously
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Genuinely
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Seriously
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
| Genuinely | Seriously | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈdʒenjuɪnli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈdʒenjuɪnli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪəriəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪriəsli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Truly or really, in an honest way. | used to show that something is true or important |
| Example | There are some genuinely funny moments in the film. | I seriously need to improve my math skills before the exam. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | genuinely happy, genuinely interested, genuinely believe | seriously consider, seriously doubt, seriously think, seriously injure |
| Antonyms | falsely, insincerely, artificially | playfully, jokingly |
| Common mistakes | Confusing with 'generally' which has a different meaning., Using in overly casual contexts where sincerity isn't implied. | Using 'serious' instead of 'seriously' in adverbial contexts., Confusing with 'sincerely' when trying to express genuine feelings. |
| Usage notes | Use 'genuinely' to express sincerity or authenticity. It's appropriate in both spoken and written contexts, but avoid it in very casual or slang settings. | Usually used to emphasize seriousness in conversations. It can sound casual in informal settings but is appropriate in serious discussions. |
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Frequently asked questions: Genuinely vs Seriously
What's the difference between Genuinely and Seriously?
Genuinely: Truly or really, in an honest way. Seriously: used to show that something is true or important
Which is more advanced: Genuinely and Seriously?
Genuinely is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Genuinely and Seriously the same CEFR level?
Genuinely: B2, Seriously: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Genuinely and Seriously?
Genuinely: adverb, Seriously: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Genuinely: There are some genuinely funny moments in the film. Seriously: I seriously need to improve my math skills before the exam.
Can I use Genuinely and Seriously interchangeably?
Not always. Genuinely and Seriously 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.