What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
attentively
Example
The students listened attentively to the teacher's instructions. [attentively: adverb]
Example
She watched the movie attentively, trying to catch every detail. [attentively: adverb]
closely
Example
The detective examined the crime scene closely, looking for any clues. [closely: adverb]
Example
The siblings are very close, they share everything with each other. [close: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Closely is more commonly used than attentively in everyday language. Closely has a broader range of contexts and can be used to describe various situations, while attentively is more specific to describing attentive listening or watching.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between attentively and closely?
Both attentively and closely can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, closely is more versatile and can be used in a wider range of situations, making it slightly more formal than attentively.
