Figuratively vs. Literally | Ask Linda! | English Grammar

In this video Linda breaks down the difference between “figuratively” and “literally”.

These two words are often confused. Let’s break it down.

The word “figuratively” is used to describe something metaphorically, for example:

Figuratively speaking, I am living on the edge due to my adventurous lifestyle.

“Literally”, on the other hand, describes something that really happened. An example sentence would be:

After falling in the water, I literally smelled like fish.

So remember, “figuratively” describes something metaphorically and “literally” something that really happened.

That’s it for today. See you next time!