Sentences with ‘literally’ for Better Writing

The word literally is one of the most misused words in English. In business writing, using it correctly can strengthen your message, while using it incorrectly can confuse your reader or make you sound careless. This guide shows you exactly how to use literally in sentences for professional emails, reports, and everyday business conversation.

Quick Answer: What Does ‘Literally’ Mean?

Literally means “exactly as stated” or “in a literal sense.” Use it when something is true without exaggeration. For example: “The company literally lost half its revenue last quarter” means the revenue dropped by exactly 50%. Do not use it for emphasis when you mean something is figurative or exaggerated.

Formal vs. Informal Use of ‘Literally’

In formal business writing, literally should only be used for factual, non-figurative statements. In informal conversation or internal emails, some speakers use it for emphasis (even when the statement is not literally true). However, careful writers avoid this informal misuse in professional contexts.

Natural Examples of ‘Literally’ in Business Contexts

In Emails

• “The server literally crashed at 3:02 PM, causing a 45-minute outage.”
• “We have literally three days to submit the proposal before the deadline.”
• “The client literally rejected every option we presented.”

In Reports and Documents

• “Sales literally increased by 200% after the campaign launched.”
• “The error rate literally dropped to zero after the software update.”
• “Our team literally worked 80 hours last week to meet the deadline.”

In Conversations

• “I literally cannot find the file anywhere on the shared drive.”
• “She literally walked out of the meeting after that comment.”
• “We literally have no other supplier for this component.”

Common Mistakes with ‘Literally’

Mistake 1: Using ‘Literally’ for Exaggeration

Wrong: “I literally have a million things to do today.”
Right: “I have a very busy schedule today.” or “I literally have 15 tasks on my to-do list.”

Mistake 2: Using ‘Literally’ with Figurative Language

Wrong: “The CEO literally exploded when he saw the report.”
Right: “The CEO was extremely upset when he saw the report.”

Mistake 3: Using ‘Literally’ When the Statement Is Obviously Not Literal

Wrong: “I literally died laughing at that joke.”
Right: “I laughed very hard at that joke.”

Mistake 4: Overusing ‘Literally’ for Emphasis

Wrong: “This is literally the best coffee in the world.” (Subjective opinion)
Right: “This coffee has literally won three international awards.” (Factual claim)

Better Alternatives to ‘Literally’

When you want to emphasize a point but cannot use literally correctly, try these alternatives:

When to Use ‘Literally’ in Business Writing

Use It When:

• You are stating a verifiable fact that is not figurative.
• You need to emphasize that something is exactly true.
• You are describing a measurable outcome or event.
• You want to contrast a literal meaning with a figurative one.

Avoid It When:

• You are exaggerating for effect.
• You are using idioms or metaphors.
• You are expressing a subjective opinion.
• You are unsure if the statement is literally true.

Nuance: The ‘Literally’ Debate

Some dictionaries now include a second definition of literally meaning “used for emphasis.” However, in professional business writing, this informal use is still considered incorrect by most editors and managers. Stick to the original meaning to avoid criticism and maintain clarity. If you want to emphasize a point without being literal, choose a different word.

Mini Practice: Test Your Understanding

Read each sentence. Decide if literally is used correctly or incorrectly. Then check the answers below.

Question 1: “Our website literally crashed three times yesterday.”
Answer: Correct. If the website actually crashed three times, this is a factual statement.

Question 2: “I literally have a mountain of paperwork to finish.”
Answer: Incorrect. Paperwork is not a mountain. Use “a large amount of paperwork” instead.

Question 3: “The new policy literally changed how we process orders.”
Answer: Correct if the policy actually changed the process. If it only slightly adjusted it, avoid literally.

Question 4: “She literally saved the company from bankruptcy.”
Answer: Correct if she actually prevented bankruptcy. If she only helped improve finances, use “significantly helped” or “played a key role in.”

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use ‘literally’ in a formal business email?

Yes, but only when the statement is factually true and not figurative. For example: “We literally have 24 hours to respond” is fine if the deadline is exactly 24 hours away.

2. What is the opposite of ‘literally’?

The opposite is figuratively. For example: “He figuratively jumped for joy” means he was very happy but did not actually jump. In business writing, you rarely need to use figuratively.

3. Is it ever okay to use ‘literally’ for emphasis in conversation?

In casual conversation, some native speakers use it for emphasis. However, in professional settings, it is safer to use it only for literal meaning. Your colleagues and clients will respect your careful word choice.

4. How can I check if I am using ‘literally’ correctly?

Ask yourself: “Is this statement 100% true without any exaggeration?” If the answer is yes, you can use literally. If the answer is no, choose a different word. For more help with word choice, visit our Common Usage Mistakes section.

Final Tip for Better Writing

Using literally correctly shows that you are a precise and careful writer. In business, precision builds trust. When you write an email or report, read your sentence aloud and ask: “Is this literally true?” If it is not, remove the word. Your readers will notice the difference. For more examples of clear business sentences, explore our Writing Sentence Examples category.

If you have questions about this guide or other writing topics, please contact us. We are happy to help you improve your business writing skills.