What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
verbatim
Example
The lawyer read the witness's testimony verbatim from the transcript. [verbatim: adverb]
Example
Please type the instructions verbatim into the report. [verbatim: adjective]
literally
Example
I'm literally starving, I haven't eaten all day. [literally: adverb]
Example
He literally jumped for joy when he heard the news. [literally: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Literally is more commonly used than verbatim in everyday language. Literally has become a popular intensifier in informal speech, while verbatim is mainly used in formal contexts such as legal or academic writing.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between verbatim and literally?
Verbatim is more formal than literally. It is often used in legal or academic writing to describe a precise and accurate transcription or copy of a text or speech. Literally can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more common in casual conversation.
