What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
directly
Example
The restaurant is directly across the street from the park. [directly: adverb]
Example
I will speak to the manager directly about the issue. [directly: adverb]
straight
Example
The road ahead is straight for miles. [straight: adjective]
Example
He always tells me the straight truth, no matter how difficult it is. [straight: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Straight is more commonly used than directly in everyday language. Straight is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while directly is more specific and less commonly used.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between directly and straight?
Both directly and straight can be used in both formal and informal contexts. However, directly may be perceived as slightly more formal due to its specificity and less common usage.