I have
been learning English for eight months but some adjectives and adverbs
are still a problem for me, especially adverbs such as absolutely,
definitely, certainly, exactly, etc. These
mean almost the same thing in Turkish and I don’t know when to use
them in English or which one to use. If you gave me some examples
that would help me.
Thanks
a lot.
Roger
Woodham replies:
absolutely/definitely/certainly/exactly
There
is not very much difference in meaning or in use when these emphasizing
adjectives are used to express strong agreement with a statement,
question or suggestion.
Absolutely
is perhaps the strongest. If you use exactly, you are emphasizing
that what someone has said is 100% correct.
Compare
the following:
Doesn’t
Sandra look stunning in that hat?
Oh, absolutely! I couldn’t agree more.
Geoffrey
is a complete and utter fool. Absolutely! / Definitely! / Exactly!
Will
you come shopping with me on Saturday? Definitely! / Certainly!
If
we can’t find those tickets, we shan’t be able to get into the
show. Exactly!
Are
you going to Turkey again this summer? Definitely! Without a doubt!
These
emphasizing adverbs are normally used with adjectives that are
in themselves already quite absolute. They give even greater emphasis
to what is said.
Compare
the following:
Your
advice was invaluable – absolutely invaluable!
I
was simply amazed when she said that she was going to
marry Henry.
It
was perfectly clear that she was serious and I was totally
powerless to stop her.
I
felt that she was completely wrong to even think about
it and I am utterly exhausted by it all.
completely
or quite
Note
that quite can mean very much or completely.
It can also mean fairly or to some extent.
Compare
the following:
Are
you quite certain that Jack’s in Paris?
Completely sure?
I’m
absolutely sure.
Are
you coming to the pub?
No, I’m quite tired, a bit sleepy. I think I’ll go to bed.
certainly
or
surely
When
it is used in response to a request or suggestion, surely
means certainly and they can be used interchangeably.
Compare
the following:
Can
you give me a hand washing up? Surely! / Certainly! / No problem!
Would
you join us for supper tonight? Surely! Where are you eating?
However,
surely can also be used to express the speaker’s surprise
that something is happening. Certainly CANNOT be used in
this way.
Study
the following and, as you say them to yourselves, give surely
fairly heavy stress:
³Û´Ç³Ü’r±ð
surely not going out again tonight, are you? You went out
last night.
Surely
that can’t be Felicity standing over there? I thought she
was in Australia.
I
can’t get any reply, but there’s surely somebody at home.
They can’t all be out.
Surely
you’re not suggesting she poisoned him on purpose?
I can’t believe you could think that!
If
you want to practise using some of these words look at our in the You, Meand Us part of our website.
