What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
literal
Example
The literal meaning of 'break a leg' is to wish someone good luck. [literal: adjective]
Example
He took her words literally and misunderstood what she meant. [literally: adverb]
verbatim
Example
The lawyer read the witness's statement verbatim to the court. [verbatim: adverb]
Example
The article was copied verbatim from the original source. [verbatim: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Literal is more commonly used than verbatim in everyday language. Literal is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while verbatim is less common and mainly used in formal or technical contexts.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between literal and verbatim?
Verbatim is generally considered more formal than literal. It is mainly used in legal, academic, or journalistic contexts where exactness is crucial, while literal can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
