Literally vs. Literarily

Attribute	Literally	Literarily
Definition	Exactly as stated or described	In a literary manner or style
Usage	Commonly used in everyday language	Primarily used in literary criticism or analysis
Meaning	Literal or factual meaning	Related to literature or writing
Context	Used to emphasize the truth or accuracy of a statement	Used to describe the style or technique of a writer

Definition and Usage

When it comes to the English language, the words "literally" and "literarily" are often confused due to their similar spellings. However, they have distinct meanings and are used in different contexts. "Literally" is an adverb that means something is true in a strict sense, without exaggeration or metaphor. It is often used to emphasize the truthfulness of a statement. On the other hand, "literarily" is an adverb that pertains to literature or the literary world. It is used to describe something in a literary manner or style.

Common Usage

The word "literally" is commonly used in everyday language to emphasize a point or to clarify that something is not figurative. For example, someone might say, "I literally ran a marathon," to convey that they actually completed the race. On the other hand, "literarily" is not as frequently used in everyday conversation. It is more commonly found in academic or literary discussions where the focus is on analyzing or discussing literature.

Grammatical Function

Grammatically, "literally" is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It is used to provide additional information about the action or description in a sentence. For example, in the sentence "She literally flew across the room," the word "literally" modifies the verb "flew" to indicate that the action was true and not exaggerated. On the other hand, "literarily" is also an adverb, but it specifically relates to literature or literary works. It is used to describe something in a literary context, such as "He wrote the poem literarily, with rich imagery and symbolism."

Examples in Context

To further illustrate the difference between "literally" and "literarily," consider the following examples:

• "I literally have a million things to do today." (Here, "literally" emphasizes the large number of tasks to be completed.)
• "The author approached the topic literarily, drawing on classic literary techniques." (In this sentence, "literarily" describes the author's approach to writing about the subject.)

Etymology

The word "literally" has its origins in the late 16th century, derived from the Latin word "literalis," meaning "of or belonging to letters or literature." It has evolved over time to take on its current meaning of denoting something as true or factual. On the other hand, "literarily" is a more recent addition to the English language, stemming from the word "literary," which dates back to the early 17th century. It is formed by adding the suffix "-ly" to "literary" to create an adverb form.

Usage in Literature

Both "literally" and "literarily" can be found in various literary works, each serving a different purpose. Authors often use "literally" to add emphasis or clarity to their writing, ensuring that readers understand the intended meaning. For example, in Charles Dickens' novel "A Tale of Two Cities," the famous opening line reads, "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us, we were all going direct to Heaven, we were all going direct the other way – in short, the period was so far like the present period, that some of its noisiest authorities insisted on its being received, for good or for evil, in the superlative degree of comparison only." Here, Dickens uses "literally" to contrast the extreme conditions of the time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "literally" and "literarily" may sound similar, they have distinct meanings and are used in different contexts. "Literally" is an adverb that emphasizes the truthfulness of a statement, while "literarily" is an adverb that relates to literature or the literary world. Understanding the nuances of these words can help improve communication and clarity in both spoken and written language.