Episode 55: 10 Adverbs English Speakers Use Every Day

[00:00:00] Welcome to English, please, the podcast where we explore interesting topics in under 10 minutes in clear, intermediate English. I’m your host Christopher. I live in New York City, and I’ve always been passionate about languages and how we learn them. Whether you’re listening on your way to work or while cooking dinner at home, this show is designed to help you with your English listening and comprehension skills.

Today, I want to talk about something that will make your English sound more natural and fluent: adverbs. I know adverbs don’t sound very interesting, but the ones we’re covering today are different, and you’ll hear them all the time in conversation. These adverbs are the ones native [00:01:00] speakers use constantly in everyday conversation. These are the words that make English feel real and natural.

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Okay, let’s go!

The first adverb is “actually,” and this one is everywhere in English. We use it in a few different ways.

First, we use “actually” to correct something or to clarify the truth. For example, “I thought the meeting was at 2:00, but actually it’s at 3:00 “or “She’s not from California. She’s actually from Florida.” We’re correcting a misunderstanding or giving the real [00:02:00] information.

But we also use “actually” in a softer way, almost like we’re being polite while disagreeing. “Actually, I think you should try a different approach” or “Actually, I’m not sure that’s the best idea.” It’s a gentle way to push back without sounding too direct.

And interestingly, sometimes people say “actually” just to emphasize what they’re saying, even when there’s no correction happening. “That movie was actually really good” or “I actually enjoyed the conference.”

In these cases actually adds just a little bit of surprise or emphasis. It’s like saying, “You know what? I really did enjoy it.” As you can see, “actually” is a versatile adverb. You’ll hear it constantly, and you can use it to [00:03:00] correct, to politely disagree, or just to add a little emphasis.

Next up: “basically.” This is one of my favorite adverbs because it’s so useful for summarizing or simplifying something. When you say “basically” you are giving the simple version like this: “Basically, the plan is to launch in March” or “Basically, we need more time.”

You are cutting through the details and getting to the main point. People use this all the time in conversation, especially when explaining something complicated: “So, basically the computer stopped working, and we lost everything.” You’re giving the short version, the essential idea.

And sometimes we use “basically” almost like a verbal pause while we’re thinking: “It’s basically, [00:04:00] well, it’s a combination.” It’s filler, but it’s natural filler. It shows your thinking and trying to simplify as you go.

One thing to watch out for though: don’t overuse “basically.” If you say it too much, it can sound like you’re trying to make everything simpler. If you use it naturally, it’s a great way to summarize and keep things clear.

Now let’s talk about “definitely.” This is how we show strong agreement or certainty. If someone asks you a question, and you want to say “yes” with confidence, you say “Definitely.” Or, “I’m definitely going to the party.” “We should definitely have dinner soon.”

It means for sure, absolutely, or without a doubt. People love this word because it’s enthusiastic and clear. If you [00:05:00] just say “yes” all the time, it can feel a little flat. But “definitely” shows you’re excited or committed.

Here’s a common way we use it:

“Do you want to grab coffee sometime?”

“Definitely. Let me know when you’re free.”

It’s friendly, positive, and very natural.

You can also use definitely to emphasize a negative. “I am definitely not going to do that again.” “That’s definitely not what I meant.” It works both ways: As a strong “yes” or as a strong “no.”

Next up: “Exactly.” This is a useful adverb that shows precision or strong agreement.

First, we use “exactly” to talk about something precise or specific. “The meeting starts at exactly 3:00.” [00:06:00] “This costs exactly $50.” “That’s exactly what I needed.”

You are emphasizing that something is precise, not just close, but we also use “exactly” to show strong agreement and this is very common in conversation.

“So, you think we should wait?”

“Exactly.”

Or: “That’s exactly right.” “That’s exactly what I was thinking.” When you say “exactly” in response to someone you’re saying “Yes, you understand perfectly. That’s precisely what I mean.” It’s enthusiastic and clear, and people use it all the time to show they’re on the same page. Oh, “on the same page” means you both understand and agree with each other.

You can also use “exactly” for emphasis in questions. [00:07:00] “What exactly are you trying to say?” “Where exactly did you put it?” In this way, it adds a little intensity or even frustration since you’re asking for precision because you are confused or even annoyed.

“Exactly” can show precision agreement, or emphasis, depending on the context.

Next, “obviously.” This one means “clearly” or “of course,” and we use it when something seems clear or certain.

For example, “Obviously, we need to finish this before the deadline” or “She’s obviously very talented.” It’s a way of saying this should be clear to everyone.

But here’s something to be careful about. “Obviously” can sometimes sound a little condescending or rude. For [00:08:00] example, if you say “Obviously you should have checked your email” it can feel like you’re saying, “How did you not know this? It’s so obvious!”

So, tone matters a lot with “obviously.” Used in a neutral or friendly way, it’s fine, but if you use it in a frustrated or sarcastic tone, it can sound rude.

People do use “obviously” a lot in casual speech though, especially when talking to friends:

“Are you coming to the party?”

“Obviously!”

That’s enthusiastic and friendly, like “Of course I am!” Just be mindful of how it might sound and more formal or tense situations.

Let’s move on to “honestly.” This is a natural way to introduce an opinion or share something truthful. When you say “honestly,” you are signaling that you are about to be direct [00:09:00] or sincere.

For example, “Honestly, I don’t think this is working” or “Honestly, I’m a little nervous.” It’s like saying, “I’m gonna tell you the truth.” We use this often in everyday conversation, especially when giving feedback or sharing feelings.

“How was the movie?”

“Honestly, I didn’t like it.”

It softens the statement a little bit, but it also shows you’re being genuine. You can use “honestly” to emphasize surprise or frustration. “Honestly, I can’t believe he said that.” “Honestly, this has been a long week.”

It’s very conversational, but don’t overuse it. Or it can sound like you’re always making a big statement about something.

Alright, we’ve covered six adverbs so far: actually, basically, definitely, exactly, [00:10:00] obviously, and honestly. Now, if you are enjoying this and you want to practice even more with real life conversations and vocabulary, I created something called the English Listening Accelerator. It’s a workbook with 10 audio lessons covering everyday situations like ordering food, making small talk, and shopping. Each lesson has a full transcript, vocabulary and practice exercises. And the best part? All the audio is at natural speed, so you’re training your ear to understand real English, not slow textbook English.

If you want to check it out, there’s a link in the show notes. You can download a free sample chapter to see if it’s right for you. And if you’re not ready for that, the newsletter is a great place to start. I share similar, practical examples there for free.

Okay, let’s keep going!

Next up, “probably.” This is [00:11:00] how we talk about likelihood or possibility. When you’re not 100% sure about something, but you think it’s likely, you say, “probably.”

“I’ll probably go to the gym tomorrow.” “She’s probably running late.” It’s softer than “definitely” because it leaves room for doubt. English speakers use “probably” all the time in everyday conversation, because we like to avoid sounding too certain about things that aren’t guaranteed.

“Are you coming to dinner?”

“Probably. I just need to check my schedule.”

It’s polite, casual, and realistic.

You can also use probably with negatives: “I probably won’t go to the party.” “That’s probably not a good idea.” It is a gentle way to say no or express doubt without being too direct.

Now let’s talk about “seriously.” [00:12:00] This one has a few different uses and they all show up in conversation.

First, seriously can mean “in a serious way” or “not joking.” “Seriously, I need your help with this.” “Are you seriously telling me you forgot?” It’s used to emphasize that you mean what you’re saying.

But we also use seriously as a reaction, like expressing disbelief or frustration.

“Seriously? He said that?” or “Seriously, this is the third time this week.” It’s almost like saying “I can’t believe this” or “Are you kidding me?”

And then, there’s the standalone use:

“You won the lottery?”

“Seriously.”

That means “Yes. Really. I’m not joking.”

“Seriously” depends on the tone. It can show emphasis, [00:13:00] disbelief, frustration, or confirmation.

Next, “totally.” This is a common way to show complete agreement or emphasis when you want to say “completely” or “absolutely,” you can say “totally.”

“I totally agree with you.” “That’s totally true.” “I totally forgot about the meeting.”

It’s enthusiastic and informal. English speakers love using “totally” in casual conversation because it sounds friendly and natural.

It’s upbeat and very conversational. Just know that it’s pretty casual. You probably wouldn’t use it in a formal situation or with people you don’t know.

The last adverb is “apparently.” We use this to talk about information we’ve heard from someone else, but we’re not completely sure about when you say “apparently” you are [00:14:00] reporting something, but you’re also indicating that you’re not the original source.

For example, “Apparently, the meeting got canceled.” “She’s apparently moving to Seattle.” It’s like saying “this is what I heard” or “according to someone else.”

We use apparently a lot in conversation, especially when sharing news or gossip. “Apparently, they’re opening a new location downtown.” “Apparently, he’s been working here for 10 years.” It shows that you’re passing along information without claiming to know all the details.

And sometimes “apparently” can have a slightly sarcastic or doubtful tone. “ Apparently, I’m supposed to do all this work by tomorrow.” That suggests you’re a little annoyed or skeptical.

Most of the time “apparently” [00:15:00] is neutral. It’s just a way to share something you’ve heard.

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