R. J. Lifton
Sure vs. Surely: Usage Guide
Most commentators consider the adverb sure to be something less than completely standard; surely is usually recommended as a substitute. Our current evidence shows, however, that sure and surely have become differentiated in use. Sure is used in much more informal contexts than surely. It is used as a simple intensive
Norman Mailer
and, because it connotes strong affirmation, it is used when the speaker or writer expects to be agreed with.
Alan Abelson
D. S. Looney
Surely, like sure, is used as a simple intensive
E. C. Welsh
but it occurs in more formal contexts than sure. Unlike sure it may be used neutrally—the reader or hearer may or may not agree
Noam Chomsky
and it is often used when the writer is trying to persuade.
Karl Shapiro
Synonyms
Examples of surely in a Sentence
Joe Walsh, Forbes, 15 Jan. 2025
Anyone who’s stumbled into fashion TikTok over the past several months has surely come across seasonal analysis, which designates people into each of the four seasons based on their hair, eye, and skin color.
—Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 15 Jan. 2025
One thing is for sure: Thank goodness J.M. Barrie is long dead, because this movie would surely kill him.
—Dennis Harvey, Variety, 15 Jan. 2025
This will surely draw legal challenges — but Trump could be counting on the 6-3 conservative majority on the U.S. Supreme Court to undo that protection.
—Alice Yin, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025
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Dictionary Entries Near surely
Cite this Entry
“Surely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surely. Accessed 22 Jan. 2025.
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surely
adverb
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