Cool MateReally vs Seriously
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Really
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
Seriously
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Most common: Really
| Really | Seriously | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈriːəli//ˈrɪəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈriːəli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪəriəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪriəsli/"]/ |
| Meaning | very or truly | used to show that something is true or important |
| Example | I really enjoy going to the beach. | I seriously need to improve my math skills before the exam. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | A1 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | really want, really good, really sure, really excited, really important | seriously consider, seriously doubt, seriously think, seriously injure |
| Antonyms | seldom, never | playfully, jokingly |
| Common mistakes | Using it in place of 'real' when describing a noun., Confusing it with 'really' in terms of degree, e.g., 'really good' instead of 'very good'. | Using 'serious' instead of 'seriously' in adverbial contexts., Confusing with 'sincerely' when trying to express genuine feelings. |
| Usage notes | Used to emphasize an adjective or another adverb. It can be informal in casual conversations but is accepted in most contexts; avoid overusing it in formal writing. | 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: Really vs Seriously
What's the difference between Really and Seriously?
Really: very or truly Seriously: used to show that something is true or important
Which is more common: Really and Seriously?
Really is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Really and Seriously?
Seriously is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.
Are Really and Seriously the same CEFR level?
Really: A1, Seriously: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Really and Seriously?
Really: adverb, Seriously: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Really: I really enjoy going to the beach. Seriously: I seriously need to improve my math skills before the exam.
Can I use Really and Seriously interchangeably?
Not always. Really 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.