2006-09-04 09:51:12 · 10 answers · asked by Gorgeous 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The word 'sure' has been misappropriated by Americans to mean 'yes' by shortening an affirmative answer to a question that evokes a response like 'I'm sure you can' or 'I'm sure it is.' to 'Sure'. Surely is a word used in a discussion or disagreement when you would say 'Surely Mount Everest is the highest mountain in the world.' and should not be used as another 'yes' word. If the answer to a question is 'Yes' then say 'Yes' , not 'sure' or ;'surely'.
In my dictionary 'Sure' is defined as 'secure, safe, firm,strong, reliable, to be depended on, certain, having apparently adequate grounds for belief,, for expectation, convinced of' (Nowhere does it say 'yes')
Surely is defined as : firmly, safely,certainly, assuredly, as it would seem (often ironically). Again nowhere does it say 'yes'.
The word 'Yes' is defined as a word of affirmation or consent.
2006-09-04 10:02:26 · answer #1 · answered by quatt47 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is the difference between "sure" and "surely"?
2006-09-06 13:26:21 · answer #2 · answered by neda t 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure – adjective
Inflected Form(s): sur•er; sur•est
1 obsolete : safe from danger or harm
2 : firmly established : STEADFAST
3 : RELIABLE, TRUSTWORTHY
4 a : marked by or given to feelings of confident certainty
5 : admitting of no doubt : INDISPUTABLE
6 a : bound to happen : INEVITABLE
7 : careful to remember, attend to, or find out something
- sure•ness noun
- for sure : without doubt or question : CERTAINLY
- to be sure : it must be acknowledged : ADMITTEDLY
Examples:
With the word “sure”, you are applying that you know you are correct. “I’m sure those are the best directions.”
Also, you can use “sure” in a yes manner. “Sure, I’d love to go”
Or you can use “sure” as you are not certain. “I’m not sure those bats are friendly”
Surely - adverb
1 : in a sure manner: a archaic : without danger or risk of injury or loss : SAFELY b (1) : with assurance : CONFIDENTLY
2 : INDEED, REALLY -- often used as an intensive
Examples:
With “surely” you are pronouncing that you are more and above of being “sure.”
Or questioning with “surely”. “Are you surely sure you know what you are doing?”
2006-09-04 17:20:50 · answer #3 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
SURE is an adjective...will describe nouns. It was a SURE thing...what kind of thing? A sure thing.
SURELY is an adverb.. will describe or limit verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. You surely know the answer to 3+2...How well do you know it? surely know it.
2006-09-04 17:23:56 · answer #4 · answered by tichur 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
surely
2006-09-04 16:55:55 · answer #5 · answered by arman982 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sure is a positive way to make or to agree.. ..Like sure go ahead....Sure I dont mind.....Sure ..I bet you dont have a crush on my bf.....making sure ..like are you sure it is not green?.. you better Make sure everyone knows..
Surely is different than sure like making sure on the level... .....like Surely you jest? Surely you dont want her to die..
Surely he understood what time he was supposed to get here........
2006-09-04 17:03:23 · answer #6 · answered by ck1_content 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it depends on the context. surely sounds more definte than sure...
2006-09-04 16:54:23 · answer #7 · answered by Daydreamer 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"I am sure." Sure is a verb.
"Surely, you jest" Surely is an adverb (that which modifies a verb)
2006-09-08 03:29:36 · answer #8 · answered by soxrcat 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sure has no ending and surely has an ending ('ly')
2006-09-08 00:44:26 · answer #9 · answered by greenT 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
the way it is spelled
2006-09-04 16:57:10 · answer #10 · answered by SimplyMe 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋