literally

[Hanka]

Hi,

could you please tell me whether the word "literally" is used correctly in the following sentece:

We had little time to arrange necessary formalities so we had to literally run at the airport.

Thank you very much.

Hanka

[BobK]

Possibly - if your feet were both off the ground at the same time! If you were just walking hurriedly, then no. But the infraction is not as gross as this:

We were so late that we had to literally burn rubber on the way to the airport.

b

[Hanka]

Not sure I understand In case of "walking hurriedly", which expression should be used instead of "literally" meaning that it was exactly how I say it and not just a metaphor.

Thank you.

Hanka

[Hanka]

I thought "litterally" means "without exagerration"

Hanka

[BobK]

Originally Posted by Hanka

I thought "litterally" means "without exagerration"
Hanka

So if you didn't actually run, literally would be slightly misleading, in this context, to a standard, formal English speaker. Instead, you could say 'We had little time to arrange necessary formalities so we nearly had to run at the airport.'

b

PS
Or you could say 'practically had to run' - an ironic choice of words since originally practically meant in 'practice/in fact'. But today it just means 'very nearly'.

[Hanka]

I think that in this case it really means "running" but not with both feet off the ground at the same time

Hanka

[BobK]

Originally Posted by Hanka

I think that in this case it really means "running" but not with both feet off the ground at the same time
Hanka

OK, I was being a bit pedantic.

b

PS
A line I thought I'd never be able to use: 'Pedants of the world unite; you have nothing to lose but your πεδάι. [That's Greek for 'chains', the origin of the word pedant.]