[Vocabulary] is this use of 'literally' correct?

[javierchang]

Do I use 'literally' correctly or naturally in this sentence? 'Because of the reasons above, we can literally make more friends by joining the club'

 

[5jj]

There are no grammatical mistakes, but it is not a natural thing to say.

 

[billmcd]

Do I use 'literally' correctly or naturally in this sentence? 'Because of the reasons above, we can literally make more friends by joining the club'

One of my many "irritations" when it comes to language is the use, or misuse, of the term "literally", especially by media broadcasters. The term should be reserved for use with metaphors. Such as in "The kidnapped young women were literally held in prison by the man who kept them locked in his home for ten years" or "The animal shelter's second floor windows were shattered and it was literally raining cats and dogs for a brief time". And so my question to you, javierchang would be, does the term literally really add anything in terms of meaning to your statement?

 

[philo2009]

Do I use 'literally' correctly or naturally in this sentence? 'Because of the reasons above, we can literally make more friends by joining the club'

Not unless you made your friends out of e.g. cardboard...

 

[javierchang]

So what adverb can I use to replace 'literally' to emphasize the degree that by joining the club we can indeed and surely make more friends? Can you recommend some like 'reliably' or 'genuinely' for me?(I am not sure whether 'reliably' or 'genuinely' is proper here...)

 

[Barb_D]

You will surely...
You will certainly ...
You are sure to ...
You are certain to ...

 

[konungursvia]

People do use it that way though: Literally | The Daily Post

 

[emsr2d2]

My grandmother (mis)used the word "literally" with abandon. In fact, now that she's dead, whenever anyone mentions her, someone in our family is bound to say, in a rather affected voice "Quite literally​, darling!"