too literally vs quite literally

Both 'too literally' and 'quite literally' are correct phrases, but they are used in different contexts. 'Too literally' implies that something is being interpreted in an overly strict or exact way, while 'quite literally' emphasizes the accuracy or truth of a statement. They are not directly comparable as they serve different purposes.

Last updated: March 24, 2024 • 1737 views

The phrase 'too literally' is correct and commonly used in English. It implies that something is being interpreted in an overly strict or exact way.

"too literally"

This phrase is used to indicate that a statement or action is being understood in a way that is too precise or strict, often leading to misunderstandings or misinterpretations.

Examples:

He took her words too literally and got offended.
Don't read the instructions too literally; there's some room for interpretation.
She always follows the rules too literally, without considering the context.
Some jokes should not be taken too literally; they are meant to be funny.
The phrase 'break a leg' is not meant to be taken too literally.

Show examples from the web [+]

You're taking it way too literally.
You're taking it way too literally.
You're taking me too literally.
But, Jean-Luc, you took me far too literally.
You're taking the history too literally.
I'm sorry, I... you may have taken me too literally.
I also believe the world becomes a very dangerous place when we interpret holy scripture too literally.
It looks like someone is taking the term "Motor City" too literally.
We take things a little too literally.
Okay, you're taking this good citizen thing way too literally!
A few lost, frustrated kids take those lyrics too literally?
I think you're taking Francis too literally, Deakin.
Max is the ambulance driver who took my advice to fight back too literally.
I may have taken that last part too literally.
Lil, I think you may have taken this tough love a little too literally this time.
Don't take this too literally, but you've been closing doors for a long time.
I'm sorry, I... you may have taken me too literally.
Well, you mustn't take the word "worm" too literally.
Although given this is the NHS, I wouldn't take shortly too literally.
I guess somebody just took you too literally.

Alternatives:

overly literally
excessively literally
overstrictly
hyper-literally
ultra-literally

The phrase 'quite literally' is correct and commonly used in English. It emphasizes the accuracy or truth of a statement.

"quite literally"

This phrase is used to emphasize that a statement is true in a very literal sense, without exaggeration or metaphorical interpretation.

Examples:

I'm so hungry, I could quite literally eat a horse.
The building was quite literally shaking during the earthquake.
She was so scared that she quite literally froze in place.
The movie was so intense that I quite literally held my breath the entire time.
He's quite literally the tallest person I've ever seen.

Show examples from the web [+]

It's quite literally the focal point of every household.
It's a fascinating fungus that quite literally eats bone.
Of course, by juggle, I mean quite literally...
But I'm quite literally in the middle of the conversation and it seems very interesting.
It is quite literally this ancient symbol of womanhood.
I shall take the mail-coach back to London, quite literally post-haste.
I could, quite literally, fire myself into the gallery.
How we quite literally burn up something as beautiful and useful as all.
This, however... is quite literally the missing link.
We were quite literally made for each other.
They are wilderness habitats, unchanged over centuries and therefore quite literally irreplaceable.
The Pacific islands are quite literally sinking beneath the waves.
It is quite literally a question about the future of life on Earth.
Our foreign policy exists, quite literally, from hand to mouth.
I think that road has basically shaken the engines - quite literally, in my case - to pieces.
It will, quite literally, run rings round the Subaru.
Because, quite literally, if agriculture doesn't adapt to climate change, neither will we.
The fact is that a solution to these problems is still being quite literally prevented by the existence of taboos.
I think about this every day; it's quite literally my job.
Both feminist and mainstream economists have pointed out that the credit crunch is quite literally a man-made disaster.

Alternatives:

literally
truly
actually
genuinely
really

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too literally vs quite literally

"too literally"

"quite literally"

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