Real and really are two commonly used and misused words. Real is an adjective that means true, existing or occurring as fact (dictionary.com). Really is an adverb that means actually, indeed, or in reality (dictionary.com).

Real is an adjective; it is only used to describe nouns and pronouns.

Ex. Bob thought the people in Martian costumes were the real thing.

Ex. Klondike is the name of a real gold panner.

Really is an adverb; it is only used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.  Really is most often used in place of very as an intensifier.

Ex. The water was really cold.

Ex. The effort they went through to make the surprise party was really moving.

Along with our own website, we recommend the "Words that are Often Confused" site: http://lbarker.orcon.net.nz/words.html. It discusses many other misused words.

Test your understanding of real and really by choosing the correct word in the following sentences:

1. Bob thought the girl was (real, really) pretty.
 

2. The man was a (real, really) astronaut.

3. The movie was (real, really) scary.

4. The two of them were (real, really) twins.

Answers

1. Bob thought the girl was really pretty.

2. The man was a real astronaut

3. The move was really scary.

4. The two of them were real twins.  

Grammatically Correct is a grammar tip of the week created by Academic Center Peer Writing Tutors at the University of Houston-Victoria in Victoria, Texas.

Comments about this newsletter should be directed to Summer Leibensperger, leibenspergers@uhv.edu.

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