Easily vs Simply

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Easily

Top 1,000 (very common) A2 adverb

Simply

Top 1,000 (very common) B1 adverb

	Easily	Simply
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈiːzəli/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈiːzəli/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈsɪmpli/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈsɪmpli/"]/
Meaning	Without difficulty; simply.	in a straightforward way
Example	She solved the puzzle easily.	You can simply follow the instructions to complete the task.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 1,000 (very common)	Top 1,000 (very common)
CEFR level	A2	B1
Part of speech	adverb	adverb
Collocations	do easily, get easily, find easily	simply say, simply put, simply amazing, simply stated, simply because
Antonyms	difficultly, hard, with difficulty	complicated, complex
Common mistakes	'Easily' is often confused with 'easy'., Learners sometimes omit 'easily' before verbs., Overuse in overly complex sentences.	Using 'simply' in overly complex sentences., Confusing 'simply' with 'just' in different contexts., Misplacing 'simply' in a sentence, making it unclear.
Usage notes	Use 'easily' to describe actions done without effort. It's appropriate in both written and spoken contexts but avoid in highly formal writing.	Use 'simply' to emphasize clarity or to say something in an easy way. It’s neutral, so it can be used in various contexts, but avoid in formal writing when discussing complex topics.

See it in real clips

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

Well, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily.

Top Gear › S1 E1

as easily as your car will do 30.

The Lord Of The Rings › The Fellowship Of The Ring

Well, here's one Dwarf she won't ensnare so easily.

Top Gear › S1 E1

as easily as your car will do 30.

Easily

Top Gear › S1 E1

Then we simply fold the seats down,

simply because he knew how to handle a knife.

Sherlock › S1 E1

This petty feud between us is simply childish. People will suffer.

Top Gear › S1 E1

Then we simply fold the seats down,

simply because he knew how to handle a knife.

Simply

Frequently asked questions: Easily vs Simply

What's the difference between Easily and Simply?

Easily: Without difficulty; simply. Simply: in a straightforward way

Which is more advanced: Easily and Simply?

Simply is the highest level, at B1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Easily and Simply the same CEFR level?

Easily: A2, Simply: B1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Easily and Simply?

Easily: adverb, Simply: adverb.

Can you show an example of each?

Easily: She solved the puzzle easily. Simply: You can simply follow the instructions to complete the task.

Can I use Easily and Simply interchangeably?

Not always. Easily and Simply 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.