Literally vs. Figuratively
Literally and figuratively are words that are misused quite often by people who have heard them used but do not really understand what they mean-literally. Let's make sure that you are not one of those people by jumping (figuratively) into an explanation of them both.
Literally is an adverb that means in an exact manner or in the literal sense-the actual sense.
1. I watched as the boy literally jumped off of the roof of his porch. (he actually did this)
2. The teacher said that if we could not calm down she would literally send every one of us to the principal's office. (she will actually do it)
3. When I said it was raining cats and dogs, you did not take me literally did you? (you didn't think that was actually happening)
Figuratively is an adverb that means of a condition involving a figure of speech-a metaphor, simile, personification, etc. This language is not meant to be taken at face value-or literally. It is meant to be creative.
1. I believe the author is writing figuratively when he says that it rained blood over the battlefield.
2. When I said that it was raining cats and dogs, I meant figuratively, because of course, there are not cats and dogs falling from the sky!
3. Do you think mom means it figuratively when she says that she will kill us if we don't clean our rooms?
In summary, literally means actually and figuratively means as a figure of speech. This is the best way to remember the difference in these two words-literally.
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