Cool MateSeriously vs Truly
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Seriously
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Truly
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Seriously | Truly | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪəriəsli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪriəsli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtruːli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtruːli/"]/ |
| Meaning | used to show that something is true or important | Really; in a sincere way. |
| Example | I seriously need to improve my math skills before the exam. | She is truly an amazing artist, and her work speaks volumes. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B1 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | seriously consider, seriously doubt, seriously think, seriously injure | truly believe, truly appreciate, truly understand |
| Antonyms | playfully, jokingly | falsely, insincerely |
| Common mistakes | Using 'serious' instead of 'seriously' in adverbial contexts., Confusing with 'sincerely' when trying to express genuine feelings. | 'Truely' is a common misspelling., Confusing 'truly' with 'really' — they are similar but can have different nuances., Using 'truly' too frequently can sound repetitive. |
| Usage notes | Usually used to emphasize seriousness in conversations. It can sound casual in informal settings but is appropriate in serious discussions. | Use 'truly' to emphasize honesty or to indicate that something is genuine. It is often used in both spoken and written English, but can sound slightly formal in casual settings. Avoid using it in overly casual or slang conversations. |
Frequently asked questions: Seriously vs Truly
What's the difference between Seriously and Truly?
Seriously: used to show that something is true or important Truly: Really; in a sincere way.
Are Seriously and Truly the same CEFR level?
Seriously: B1, Truly: B2 on the CEFR scale.
Can I use Seriously and Truly interchangeably?
Not always. Seriously and Truly 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.