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literally means vs means literally

Both "literally means" and "means literally" are correct and commonly used phrases in English. They can be used interchangeably depending on the context without changing the meaning of the sentence.

Last updated: March 20, 2024 • 815 views

literally means

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to emphasize that the following words are to be taken in their most basic and straightforward sense.

Examples:

  • The term "computer" literally means a device that computes.
  • His name literally means "brave warrior" in ancient Greek.
  • He's a sailor who knows his ropes, literally and figuratively. The term “Mardi Gras” literally means “Fat Tuesday” in French. The story he told was basically true, ...
  • In its standard use literally means 'in a literal sense, as opposed to a non-literal or exaggerated sense', as for example in I told him I never wanted to see him ...
  • There's an Italian dessert called tiramisu, which literally means 'pull me up'. take ( =understand) something literally: Children take things literally when they hear ...
  • Mar 6, 2013 ... As anyone who paid attention in grade school knows, "literally" means "in a literal or strict sense, as opposed to a non-literal or exaggerated ...

Alternatives:

  • actually means
  • truly means
  • in fact means
  • strictly means
  • precisely means

means literally

This phrase is correct and commonly used in English.

This phrase is used to convey that the meaning being discussed is the actual or precise definition of the term.

Examples:

  • The word "decimate" means literally to reduce by one-tenth.
  • In this context, "cool" means literally at a low temperature.
  • Often used on Facebook by idiots. Adverb carrying the meaning of 'figuratively'. In real life means 'literally'. OMG my phone its literally blowin up wit texts rite now ...
  • Oct 22, 2015 ... Gas giant since 1966 / THU 10-22-15 / Phishing targets / Mint family plant harvested for its seeds / Japanese dish whose name means literally ...
  • Jan 5, 2016 ... Reminder: "Natural" Food Means Literally Nothing. A box of powder-cheesed macaroni? Natural! A candy bar? Sure, why not: natural! A can of ...
  • When Literally means Literally… Posted on July 29, 2014 by Ingrid Tieken. Jasper Spierenburg is another of my MA students working on prescriptivism. Here is ...

Alternatives:

  • actually means
  • truly means
  • in fact means
  • strictly means
  • precisely means

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