CamperMom Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 I'm curious ... I hear the words "real" and "really" used in the same place in sentences so often that I wonder if they are both correct. (Although it doesn't seem so to me. But my learning of grammar was long ago.) Is it "really good" or "real good"? Is it "really fast" or "real fast"? Are they really both correct? Why or why not? Can someone help? Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
min Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 (edited) We use real and really differently to Americans. I always think "really" should be used in the same way as "very". I am driving really fast; I am driving very fast. (Actually, I don't!) "Real" - this is a real rabbit as opposed to a toy rabbit. Love to hear other thoughts! Miranda Edited April 1, 2010 by min Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jld Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Really is an adverb; real is an adjective. So technically speaking, real fast and real good are incorrect. However, if that is how people speak where you are, you may just want to follow the crowd and fit in!:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamperMom Posted April 1, 2010 Author Share Posted April 1, 2010 Thanks for the information! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ekarl2 Posted April 1, 2010 Share Posted April 1, 2010 Here's a trick. If you can successfully substitute the word "very," then "really" is the correct choice. Both are adverbs. If you'd say "very good," you should say "really good." Good is almost always an adjective, therefore it can only be modified by an adverb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.