English spelling can be tricky, even for native speakers! Some words sound the same but are spelled differently, and others are easy to misspell because of how they sound when spoken. One common spelling mistake that even advanced English learners make is confusing “truly” with “truely.”
In this post, we’ll cover:
- The meaning of “truly”
- Why “truely” is incorrect
- Common examples of “truly” in sentences
- Tips to remember the correct spelling
- Frequently asked questions about “truly” vs. “truely”
Truely or Truly: Which Is Correct?.
Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
1. What Does “Truly” Mean?
“Truly” is an adverb in English. We use it to mean “in a truthful or sincere way” or to emphasize how much we agree or feel something. Here are some meanings of “truly”:
- Honestly: “Truly” can mean speaking in a way that is honest or genuine.
- Example: “I truly believe she is right.”
- Accurately: It can also mean “in an exact way” or “exactly.”
- Example: “This painting truly captures the beauty of the landscape.”
- Really/Very: “Truly” can be used to add emphasis to a statement.
- Example: “This is truly amazing!”
2. Why is “Truely” Incorrect?
In English, spelling rules can be strange, and not every word follows a clear pattern. However, “truely” is not an accepted spelling of “truly.” The word “truly” comes from the root word “true” plus the suffix “-ly,” but when we add “-ly,” we drop the “e” in “true.”
This rule isn’t universal, but in this case, remember:
- “True” becomes “Truly,” not “Truely.”
3. Examples of “Truly” in Sentences
To better understand how to use “truly,” here are some examples:
A. To Show Honesty or Sincerity
- “I truly enjoyed the movie; it was so touching.”
- “She truly wants to help others.”
- “I am truly sorry for the mistake.”
B. To Emphasize a Strong Feeling or Opinion
- “This is truly the best pizza I’ve ever had.”
- “He is truly a great friend.”
- “I am truly grateful for your help.”
C. To Describe Something Exactly or Accurately
- “This photo truly captures the beauty of the mountains.”
- “The documentary truly shows the life of wild animals.”
Using “truly” can add sincerity and emphasis to your sentences. Remember, “truly” is used to show strong emotion or precise accuracy.
4. Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Mistaking “truly” for “truely” is easy to do, so here are some tips to help you avoid this mistake.
Tip 1: Remember the Root Word “True”
Think of the root word “true.” When you add “-ly,” the “e” is dropped, forming “truly.” Here’s how it looks:
- True + ly = Truly
Tip 2: Think of Other Words Ending in “ly”
Many adverbs are formed by adding “-ly” to adjectives, and some follow this rule of dropping the “e.” Examples include:
- Due → Duly
- Whole → Wholly
Just like “truly,” these words also drop the “e” before adding “-ly.”
Tip 3: Practice Writing English Sentences
Sometimes, spelling mistakes happen because we don’t use the word often enough. Try writing sentences using “truly” in different contexts. The more you use it, the easier it becomes to remember!
Tip 4: Use Mnemonics
A mnemonic is a memory trick to help you remember spelling. Here’s one for “truly”:
- “True Love Yields (T-L-Y)” → Think of “Truly” with the first letters from each word!
Tip 5: Remember “Truly” is Shorter
“Truly” has only one “e” in it. Keeping it short can help you avoid adding that extra “e.”
5. Differences Between “Truly” and “Really”
Many learners wonder if “truly” and “really” can be used in the same way. Although they can sometimes be interchangeable, there are some differences.
When to Use “Truly”
- “Truly” is used when you want to emphasize honesty, sincerity, or exactness.
- Example: “I truly appreciate your support.”
When to Use “Really”
- “Really” is often more informal and used to emphasize the degree or amount of something.
- Example: “I really like this song.”
Key Difference
“Truly” has a stronger sense of honesty or exactness, while “really” is used more for general emphasis.
6. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A. Is “Truely” Ever Correct?
No, “truely” is not a correct spelling in standard English. Always use “truly.”
B. Why Do People Misspell “Truly”?
Many people misspell it because they think “truly” should follow the pattern of “true” + “ly” without dropping the “e.” Since English doesn’t always follow predictable rules, this spelling mistake is common.
C. How Can I Remember the Correct Spelling?
Practice, practice, practice! You can also use the mnemonic “True Love Yields” or think of similar words that drop the “e” like “wholly” and “duly.”
D. Can “Truly” Be Used Instead of “Very”?
Yes, in some cases, “truly” can replace “very” to add extra emphasis. For example:
- The book is truly interesting.” (This means it’s very interesting.)
7. Fun Facts About “Truly”
Learning more about a word can make it easier to remember. Here are some fun facts about “truly”:
- Old English Origins: “Truly” has roots in Old English. It comes from the word “trēow,” meaning faith or loyalty.
- Common in Formal Writing: “Truly” is often used in formal settings, like speeches, letters, and essays, because it adds sincerity.
- Popular in Song Lyrics: Many love songs use the word “truly” to express strong feelings, such as Lionel Richie’s famous song “Truly.”
Understanding Truly
8. More Examples and Practice Sentences
Let’s practice with more sentences using “truly” so you can see how it fits in different situations.
A. To Show Sincerity
- “I am truly grateful for your support throughout the project.”
- “She truly cares about her students and their progress.”
B. To Add Emphasis
- “This is truly one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.”
- “The view from the mountain was truly breathtaking.”
C. To Describe Something Accurately
- This story truly reflects the hardships people faced.
- “The actor truly captured the character’s personality.”
9. Exercises to Practice “Truly”
Try filling in the blanks with “truly” in the following sentences:
- I _____ believe that kindness can change the world.
- The sunset over the ocean was _____ amazing.
- She is _____ a dedicated and hardworking person.
- This book _____ brings history to life for readers.
- I am _____ sorry for missing your birthday.
Answers:
- truly
10. Conclusion
The difference between “truly” and “truely” is simple once you know the rule. Always remember to drop the “e” from “true” before adding “-ly,” and you’ll have the correct spelling: “truly.” This word can add a lot of sincerity, accuracy, and emphasis to your English, so practice using it in sentences whenever you can.
Learning small differences like these can make a big impact on your English skills. Keep practicing, and soon spelling words like “truly” will feel natural. Happy learning!
