Real vs. Really

Attribute	Real	Really
Definition	Existing in actuality; not imagined or supposed	Used to emphasize or express certainty or truth
Usage	Describes something that is authentic or genuine	Used as an adverb to intensify an adjective or adverb
Examples	The real reason for his absence was illness	She was really happy to see her old friend
Synonyms	Actual, true, genuine	Truly, genuinely, indeed

Definition

Real and really are two words that are often used interchangeably, but they actually have distinct meanings. Real is an adjective that means something is genuine, authentic, or true. It is used to describe things that exist in reality, as opposed to being imaginary or fictional. Really, on the other hand, is an adverb that is used to emphasize the truth or accuracy of a statement. It is often used to express surprise, disbelief, or emphasis.

Usage

Real is typically used to describe physical objects, people, or situations that are tangible and exist in the physical world. For example, you might say, "That is a real diamond," to indicate that the diamond is genuine and not a fake. Really, on the other hand, is used to modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the degree or extent of something. For example, you might say, "I really enjoyed the movie," to emphasize how much you liked it.

Intensifiers

One key difference between real and really is that really can be used as an intensifier to add emphasis to a statement. For example, you might say, "I really love chocolate," to emphasize your strong feelings about chocolate. Real, on the other hand, does not function as an intensifier in the same way. It simply describes something as genuine or authentic without adding emphasis.

Colloquial Usage

In colloquial speech, really is often used as a filler word to express agreement or surprise. For example, you might say, "Really? I had no idea!" to indicate surprise at new information. Real, on the other hand, is less commonly used in this way and is more likely to be used in a formal or serious context to describe something as genuine or authentic.

Comparative and Superlative Forms

Both real and really have comparative and superlative forms that are used to compare two or more things. The comparative form of real is more real, and the superlative form is most real. For example, you might say, "This painting looks more real than the others," to compare its authenticity. The comparative form of really is more really, and the superlative form is most really. For example, you might say, "I am most really looking forward to the concert," to emphasize your excitement.

Common Phrases

Real and really are both used in a variety of common phrases and idioms in the English language. For example, the phrase "keep it real" means to stay true to oneself and not pretend to be something one is not. The phrase "really and truly" is used to emphasize the truth or sincerity of a statement. Both phrases demonstrate how real and really are used to convey authenticity and truthfulness in different contexts.

Conclusion

In conclusion, real and really are two words that have distinct meanings and uses in the English language. Real is used to describe things that are genuine, authentic, or true, while really is used to emphasize the truth or accuracy of a statement. While they are often used interchangeably, understanding the differences between real and really can help you communicate more effectively and accurately in both spoken and written English.