Common Mistakes When Using ‘literally’ in a Sentence
The most common mistake with “literally” is using it for exaggeration or emphasis when you mean the opposite. “Literally” means “in a literal manner or sense; exactly.” If you say, “I was literally dying of laughter,” you are saying you were actually dying, which is not true. This misuse has become so widespread that many dictionaries now include an informal definition for “literally” as an intensifier, but careful writers and speakers avoid this to prevent confusion and maintain clarity.
Quick Answer: How to Use ‘Literally’ Correctly
Use “literally” only when something is factually true and not exaggerated. If you can replace “literally” with “figuratively” or “virtually,” you are using it wrong. For example, “The instructions literally saved my life” is correct if the instructions prevented a real accident. “I literally died of embarrassment” is incorrect because you did not actually die.
What ‘Literally’ Actually Means
“Literally” comes from the word “literal,” which means taking words in their usual or most basic sense without metaphor or exaggeration. When you use “literally,” you are stating that something happened exactly as described. This is the formal, standard meaning that is appropriate for academic writing, professional emails, and careful conversation.
In informal speech, many people use “literally” as a general intensifier, similar to “very” or “really.” For example, “I literally have a million things to do” is a common exaggeration. However, this usage can confuse listeners or readers who take you at your word. In formal contexts, it is best to reserve “literally” for situations where you need to emphasize that something is not figurative.
Comparison Table: Correct vs. Incorrect Usage
| Incorrect Example | Why It Is Wrong | Correct Version |
|---|---|---|
| I literally died of laughter. | You did not actually die. | I almost died of laughter. / I was laughing so hard. |
| He literally flew off the handle. | “Flew off the handle” is a metaphor, not a real action. | He became very angry. / He lost his temper. |
| She literally broke the internet. | The internet is not physically broken. | Her post went viral. / She caused a huge reaction online. |
| I literally have a ton of work. | The work does not weigh a ton. | I have a huge amount of work. / I am very busy. |
| We literally walked a million miles. | You did not walk one million miles. | We walked a very long distance. / We walked for hours. |
Natural Examples of Correct Usage
Here are examples where “literally” is used correctly in everyday situations. Notice that each example describes something that is factually true.
- “The temperature outside is literally freezing. The water in the birdbath has turned to ice.” (The water is actually frozen.)
- “She literally saved my job by catching that error before the client saw it.” (She prevented a real problem.)
- “I literally have no money left in my account after paying the rent.” (The balance is zero.)
- “The instructions literally say to turn left at the second stop sign.” (The words are exact.)
- “He literally ran five kilometers this morning. I saw his running app.” (The distance is accurate.)
Common Mistakes with ‘Literally’
Mistake 1: Using ‘Literally’ for Exaggeration
This is the most frequent error. People use “literally” to make a statement sound more dramatic, even when it is clearly not true. For example, “I literally waited forever” is incorrect because you did not wait for an infinite amount of time. Instead, say “I waited for a very long time” or “I felt like I waited forever.”
Mistake 2: Using ‘Literally’ with Metaphors
Metaphors and idioms are figurative by nature. Combining them with “literally” creates a contradiction. For instance, “He literally kicked the bucket” is wrong if you mean he died. “Kicked the bucket” is an idiom, so using “literally” makes it sound like he physically kicked a bucket. Use “literally” only with direct, non-figurative language.
Mistake 3: Using ‘Literally’ in Formal Writing as an Intensifier
In academic essays, business reports, or professional emails, avoid using “literally” as a filler word. For example, “The results literally show a clear trend” is weaker than “The results show a clear trend.” The word “literally” adds nothing here and may confuse readers who expect precise language.
Mistake 4: Confusing ‘Literally’ with ‘Figuratively’
Some learners mix up “literally” and “figuratively.” “Figuratively” means “in a metaphorical or non-literal sense.” If you want to describe something that is not exactly true but used for effect, use “figuratively.” For example, “I figuratively died of embarrassment” is correct because you are using a figure of speech.
Better Alternatives to ‘Literally’
When you want to emphasize something without misusing “literally,” choose a more precise word or phrase. Here are some alternatives depending on the context.
- For emphasis on truth: “actually,” “exactly,” “precisely,” “truly”
- For exaggeration or strong feeling: “very,” “really,” “extremely,” “incredibly”
- For informal speech: “honestly,” “seriously,” “no joke”
- For clarifying a statement: “in the strict sense,” “without exaggeration”
For example, instead of “I literally have a million things to do,” say “I have an overwhelming number of tasks.” Instead of “She literally blew my mind,” say “She amazed me” or “I was truly impressed.”
When to Use ‘Literally’
Use “literally” when you need to clarify that you are not exaggerating or using a figure of speech. This is especially useful in situations where the listener might think you are being metaphorical. For example:
- In a safety instruction: “This button literally stops the machine. Do not press it during operation.”
- In a factual report: “The company literally lost all its data in the server crash.”
- In a personal story: “I literally had to crawl out of the broken elevator.”
In informal conversation, you can sometimes use “literally” for humorous effect, but only if your audience understands you are being ironic. For example, “I literally died when I saw the price tag” can be funny among friends, but it is still technically incorrect. For safe, clear communication, stick to the literal meaning.
Formal vs. Informal Tone
In formal writing and professional emails, always use “literally” in its strict sense. For example, in a business email: “The deadline is literally tomorrow at 5 PM. There is no extension.” This is clear and accurate. In informal texts or casual conversation, you have more flexibility, but be aware that some people may still correct you. If you want to sound educated and precise, avoid the exaggerated use entirely.
In everyday conversation, you can often drop “literally” and use stronger verbs or adjectives instead. For instance, instead of “I literally hate this song,” say “I cannot stand this song.” Instead of “He literally destroyed the presentation,” say “He ruined the presentation completely.”
Mini Practice: Check Your Understanding
Read each sentence and decide if “literally” is used correctly. Then check the answers below.
- “I literally ate a whole pizza by myself last night.” (I actually ate an entire pizza.)
- “She literally has a heart of gold.”
- “The teacher literally gave us a zero for cheating.”
- “I literally jumped out of my skin when the alarm went off.”
Answers:
- Correct, if you truly ate the whole pizza. This is a factual statement.
- Incorrect. “Heart of gold” is a metaphor for kindness. Use “figuratively” or rephrase: “She is extremely kind.”
- Correct, if the teacher actually recorded a zero in the gradebook.
- Incorrect. “Jumped out of my skin” is an idiom for being startled. Say “I was so startled I jumped” instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is it ever okay to use ‘literally’ for exaggeration?
In very informal speech among friends, some people use “literally” as an intensifier. However, this is widely considered a mistake in careful writing and formal contexts. To avoid confusion, it is safer to use “literally” only when you mean “exactly” or “actually.”
2. What is the difference between ‘literally’ and ‘figuratively’?
“Literally” means something is true in a factual, non-metaphorical way. “Figuratively” means something is used as a metaphor or symbol. For example, “I literally cried” means tears fell. “I figuratively cried” means you felt like crying but did not.
3. Can I use ‘literally’ in academic writing?
Yes, but only when you need to emphasize that a statement is not figurative. For example, “The experiment literally changed the color of the solution” is fine if that is what happened. Avoid using it as a filler word.
4. How can I stop misusing ‘literally’?
Before you write or say “literally,” ask yourself: “Is this statement 100% true without any exaggeration?” If the answer is no, choose a different word. Practice replacing “literally” with “very,” “really,” or “actually” depending on your meaning.
For more help with common word usage, explore our Common Usage Mistakes section. You can also find clear examples in our Simple Sentence Examples and Daily English Sentences categories. If you have questions, visit our FAQ page or contact us.