transcription, транскрипция: [ ri:əli ]
Frequency: The word is one of the 700 most common words in English.
1.
You can use really to emphasize a statement. ( SPOKEN )
I’m very sorry. I really am...
It really is best to manage without any medication if you possibly can...
ADV : usu ADV with v [ emphasis ]
2.
You can use really to emphasize an adjective or adverb.
It was really good...
They were really nice people...
= very
ADV : ADV adj / adv [ emphasis ]
3.
You use really when you are discussing the real facts about something, in contrast to the ones someone wants you to believe.
My father didn’t really love her...
ADV : usu ADV with v , also ADV adj
4.
People use really in questions and negative statements when they want you to answer ‘no’.
Do you really think he would be that stupid?...
= honestly
ADV : ADV before v [ emphasis ]
5.
If you refer to a time when something really begins to happen, you are emphasizing that it starts to happen at that time to a much greater extent and much more seriously than before.
That’s when the pressure really started...
ADV : ADV before v [ emphasis ]
6.
People sometimes use really to slightly reduce the force of a negative statement. ( SPOKEN )
I’m not really surprised...
‘Did they hurt you?’—‘Not really’...
ADV : ADV after neg , usu ADV with v , also ADV with cl [ vagueness ]
7.
You can say really to express surprise or disbelief at what someone has said. ( SPOKEN )
‘We discovered it was totally the wrong decision.’—‘Really?’...
CONVENTION [ feelings ]