Literately vs. Literally — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 20, 2024
Literately refers to something expressed in a literary or scholarly manner, while literally means something happening exactly as described without exaggeration or metaphor.
Difference Between Literately and Literally
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Literately refers to writing or speaking with a high degree of literary quality or style. It emphasizes a scholarly, educated way of expressing ideas. Literally, on the other hand, means that something is happening in an exact, non-metaphorical sense. It is often used to emphasize that a statement should be taken at face value without exaggeration.
While literately is concerned with the style and quality of writing or speech, literally focuses on the accuracy and truthfulness of a statement. A literate person might write a beautiful, complex sentence, whereas someone using the word literally is emphasizing the factual nature of their statement.
In everyday usage, literally is commonly used to stress the truthfulness of an action or situation, sometimes even when used hyperbolically. For example, "I literally died laughing" is a hyperbolic use, meaning the person found something extremely funny. Literately would not be used in such a context.
Both terms are important in their own right, but they serve very different purposes in communication. Literately enriches the quality of expression, whereas literally clarifies the factuality of an assertion.
Comparison Chart
Definition
In a literary or scholarly manner
In an exact, non-metaphorical sense
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Usage
Describing the style of writing or speech
Emphasizing the factual nature of a statement
Context
Literary works, formal speeches
Everyday speech, factual statements
Common Expressions
"He writes very literately"
"I literally ran five miles"
Hyperbolic Usage
Rarely used in hyperbole
Often used in hyperbole (e.g., "I literally died")
Compare with Definitions
Literately
In a literary manner.
She spoke literately about the novel's themes.
Literally
In an exact manner.
He literally finished the race in under an hour.
Literately
Involving literary knowledge.
He is well-read and writes literately.
Literally
In a true sense.
She literally couldn't believe her eyes.
Literately
Scholarly expression.
The professor explained the concept quite literately.
Literally
Without exaggeration.
The movie was literally three hours long.
Literately
With a focus on literary style.
Her poetry is composed very literately.
Literally
Exact meaning.
The word dog literally refers to a canine animal.
Literately
With literary quality.
His essays are always written very literately.
Literally
In a literal manner or sense; exactly
The driver took it literally when asked to go straight over the roundabout
Tiramisu, literally translated ‘pull-me-up’
Literately
Able to read and write.
Literally
In a literal manner; word for word
Translated the Greek passage literally.
Literately
Knowledgeable or educated in a particular field or fields.
Literally
In a literal or strict sense
Don't take my remarks literally.
Literately
Familiar with literature; literary.
Literally
Actually; in effect; practically. Used as an intensive to emphasize a figurative statement in an exaggerated way
“There are people in the world who literally do not know how to boil water” (Craig Claiborne). I was so angry that my heart literally exploded with rage.
Literately
Well-written; polished
A literate essay.
Literally
Word for word; not figuratively; not as an idiom or metaphor.
When I saw on the news that there would be no school tomorrow because of the snowstorm, I literally jumped for joy, and hit my head on the ceiling fan.
Literately
A person who is literate.
Literally
Used non-literally as an intensifier for figurative statements: virtually, so to speak (often considered incorrect; see usage notes)
He was so surprised, he literally jumped twenty feet in the air.
My daughter's pet rabbit had babies, and now we've literally got rabbits coming out of our ears.
On 9/11 people were literally glued to their TV sets.
Literately
(used with a pl. verb) People who are literate, considered as a group.
Literally
(colloquial) Used to intensify or dramatize non-figurative statements.
I had no idea, so I was literally guessing.
I was literally having breakfast when she arrived.
She was literally like, "What?", and I was literally like, "Yeah".
Literally who is this?
Literately
In the way of one who is literate.
Literally
(colloquial) Used as a generic downtoner: just, merely.
It's not even hard to make—you literally just put it in the microwave for five minutes and it's done.
It won't take me long to get back, cause the store's literally two blocks away.
Literally
According to the primary and natural import of words; not figuratively; as, a man and his wife can not be literally one flesh.
Literally
With close adherence to words; word by word.
So wild and ungovernable a poet can not be translated literally.
Literally
In a literal sense;
Literally translated
He said so literally
Literally
(intensifier before a figurative expression) without exaggeration;
Our eyes were literally pinned to TV during the Gulf war
Literally
Factually accurate.
The building is literally next door.
Common Curiosities
How is literally used in a sentence?
Literally is used to emphasize the exactness of a statement, e.g., "I literally jumped for joy."
What does literately mean?
Literately means in a literary or scholarly manner.
Is literally often used hyperbolically?
Yes, literally is often used hyperbolically, e.g., "I literally died laughing."
Does literally always mean exact?
Yes, literally means in an exact or non-metaphorical sense.
Can literately and literally be used interchangeably?
No, literately refers to literary quality, while literally refers to factual accuracy.
Can literately be used to describe spoken language?
Yes, literately can describe both written and spoken language with literary quality.
What part of speech is literately?
Literately is an adverb.
Does literately imply a high level of education?
Yes, literately often implies a scholarly or educated way of expressing ideas.
Is literally ever used incorrectly?
Yes, some people use literally incorrectly to emphasize hyperbole, e.g., "I literally can't even."
What part of speech is literally?
Literally is an adverb.
What is a common mistake with literally?
A common mistake is using literally for exaggeration rather than its literal meaning.
Is literally used in scientific writing?
Yes, literally can be used in scientific writing to emphasize exactness.
Can literately describe casual writing?
No, literately typically describes more formal or literary writing.
How can one write literately?
By using a sophisticated and educated style, often found in literary works.
Does literately apply to technical documents?
Not usually; literately is more often applied to literary or scholarly texts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
