What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
naively
Example
She naively believed that everything would work out without any effort. [naively: adverb]
Example
He was too naive to realize that he was being scammed. [naive: adjective]
innocently
Example
She innocently asked if she could borrow the book, not realizing it was a sensitive topic. [innocently: adverb]
Example
He was an innocent bystander who got caught up in the commotion. [innocent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Innocently is more commonly used than naively in everyday language. Innocently is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while naively is less common and often used in specific situations.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between naively and innocently?
Both naively and innocently are considered formal words, but innocently is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts.
