R. J. Lifton
Sure vs. Surely: Usage Guide
Most commentators consider the adverb sure to be something less than completely standard; surely is usually recommended as a substitute. Our current evidence shows, however, that sure and surely have become differentiated in use. Sure is used in much more informal contexts than surely. It is used as a simple intensive
Norman Mailer
and, because it connotes strong affirmation, it is used when the speaker or writer expects to be agreed with.
Alan Abelson
D. S. Looney
Surely, like sure, is used as a simple intensive
E. C. Welsh
but it occurs in more formal contexts than sure. Unlike sure it may be used neutrally—the reader or hearer may or may not agree
Noam Chomsky
and it is often used when the writer is trying to persuade.
Karl Shapiro
Examples of surely in a Sentence
Christian Elliott, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 Apr. 2025
This surely explains why, in the course of the past week, the President has been escalating his threats and targeting its endowment directly by suggesting in a social-media post that Harvard should lose its tax-exempt status.
—John Cassidy, New Yorker, 21 Apr. 2025
And Ipswich’s relegation will surely be confirmed on Saturday away at Newcastle United.
—Michael Walker, New York Times, 21 Apr. 2025
This is surely heartbreaking for Novak, who is still searching for that first victory.
—Nicholas Creel, MSNBC Newsweek, 20 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for surely
Cite this Entry
“Surely.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/surely. Accessed 25 Apr. 2025.
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surely
adverb
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