Cool MateExtremely vs Really
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Extremely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Really
Top 1,000 (very common)A1adverb
| Extremely | Really | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪkˈstriːmli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪkˈstriːmli/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈriːəli//ˈrɪəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈriːəli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Very much; to a very high degree. | very or truly |
| Example | She was extremely happy about her exam results. | I really enjoy going to the beach. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 1,000 (very common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | A2 | A1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | extremely happy, extremely difficult, extremely important, extremely cold, extremely fast | really want, really good, really sure, really excited, really important |
| Antonyms | slightly, moderately | seldom, never |
| Common mistakes | Using 'extremely' with nouns, e.g., 'extremely happy person' instead of 'extremely happy'., Confusing 'extremely' with similar adverbs like 'really' for less intense expressions., Placing 'extremely' incorrectly in a sentence, altering the meaning. | 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'. |
| Usage notes | Use 'extremely' to emphasize adjectives or adverbs. Appropriate in both spoken and written English, but avoid in casual contexts where simpler terms like 'really' may suffice. | 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. |
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Frequently asked questions: Extremely vs Really
What's the difference between Extremely and Really?
Extremely: Very much; to a very high degree. Really: very or truly
Which is more advanced: Extremely and Really?
Extremely is the highest level, at A2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Extremely and Really the same CEFR level?
Extremely: A2, Really: A1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Extremely and Really?
Extremely: adverb, Really: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Extremely: She was extremely happy about her exam results. Really: I really enjoy going to the beach.
Can I use Extremely and Really interchangeably?
Not always. Extremely and Really 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.