What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
terribly
Example
The food at that restaurant was terribly bad. [terribly: adverb]
Example
I'm terribly sorry for your loss. [terribly: adverb]
Example
She felt terribly alone in the big city. [terribly: adverb]
very
Example
I'm very happy to see you. [very: adverb]
Example
That was a very good movie. [very: adverb]
Example
She is a very talented musician. [very: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Very is much more commonly used than terribly in everyday language. Very is versatile and can be used in various contexts, while terribly is less common and more formal.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between terribly and very?
Terribly is generally considered more formal than very, which is widely used in both formal and informal contexts.