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Grammar Help -- "Really" vs. "Real"


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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!

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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 by min
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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!:)

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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.

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