Meaning & use
surely
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Meanings
adverb
Used to show you believe something is true or likely, though you are not completely certain.
Grammar: Often placed at the beginning of a sentence or before the main verb to express confidence or hope.
Patterns
- surely + clause
- surely not
- surely you don't mean that
Surely you don't expect me to finish all this work today?
Surely she will arrive soon; she left an hour ago.
Surely there must be a better way to solve this problem.
adverbformal
Certainly or undoubtedly; used to emphasize that something is true.
Grammar: Can be used for emphasis, often in formal or literary contexts.
Patterns
- surely + verb
- slowly but surely
He will surely be punished for his actions.
Slowly but surely, the team improved their performance.
This is surely the best cake I have ever tasted.
adverb
In a firm or steady manner; without doubt or hesitation.
Grammar: Often used in the phrase 'slowly but surely' to mean gradually and steadily.
Patterns
- slowly but surely
The turtle moved slowly but surely toward the finish line.
She is slowly but surely recovering from her illness.
Common combinations
- surely not
- Surely not! You can't be serious.
- slowly but surely
- Slowly but surely, he learned to play the piano.
- surely you jest
- Surely you jest! That can't be true.
- surely be
- This will surely be a memorable event.
Synonyms and how they differ
- certainly
- Stronger and more definite; 'surely' often implies hope or probability rather than absolute certainty.
- definitely
- Expresses strong certainty; 'surely' can be more tentative or rhetorical.
- undoubtedly
- Means without doubt; 'surely' can be used to question or express surprise.
Opposites
Word family
- sure adjective
- Confident or certain.
- sureness noun
- The quality of being confident or certain.
Commonly confused: surely or surly?
surely vs surly
Means bad-tempered or unfriendly; it sounds similar but has a completely different meaning.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'surely' to express strong belief or hope?
Choose one answer.
'Surely' in option B expresses the speaker's hope or expectation that the person can stay. Option A uses 'surely' awkwardly; it would normally mean 'certainly' but the sentence is unnatural. Option C uses 'surely' as an adverb of manner, which is possible but less common. Option D incorrectly uses 'surely' as an adjective before a noun.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “surely”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.