Imagine you are drafting an email, writing a heartfelt thank-you note, or composing an academic essay.
Many people wonder truly or truely when they type sentences like, “I am truely grateful for your support.” At first, it may seem correct, but the spelling doesn’t feel right.
This confusion is common among students, writers, professionals, and English learners because both forms sound the same when spoken, yet only truly is correct in modern English.
In this guide, you will learn its origin, grammar rules, proper usage, common mistakes, and practical examples, so you can write confidently every time.
Quick Answer
The simple rule is:
- ✅ Truly → correct spelling
- ❌ Truely → incorrect spelling
Explanation: When adding -ly to the word true, the final e is dropped → true + ly = truly. This is standard English spelling practice for adverbs ending in -ly.
Examples of correct usage:
- I am truly honored to meet you. ✅
- She is truly an exceptional teacher. ✅
- The experience was truly unforgettable. ✅
Incorrect usage:
- I am truely honored to meet you. ❌
- She is truely an exceptional teacher. ❌
Grammar tools like Grammarly and references such as Merriam-Webster Dictionary flag truely as a spelling error.
The Origin of Truly
The word truly has an interesting historical background. It originates from the Old English word triewe, meaning faithful, loyal, or trustworthy.
Over time, this evolved into true, which conveys accuracy, honesty, or authenticity. Adding the suffix -ly forms an adverb: true + ly = truly, which indicates “in a truthful manner” or “honestly.”
- Old English: triewe → faithful, trustworthy
- Middle English: true → accurate, genuine
- Modern English: truly → honestly, sincerely
The form truely has never been standard in English. Its occasional appearance in older texts was either a typographical error or a nonstandard variant. Today, any usage of truely is considered incorrect in academic, business, or casual writing.
British English vs American English Spelling
Truly is spelled the same way in both British and American English. Unlike words such as color/colour or organize/organise, there is no regional difference.
| Region | Correct Spelling | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| United States | Truly | Standard spelling |
| United Kingdom | Truly | Standard spelling |
| Commonwealth countries | Truly | Standard spelling |
| Global English | Truly | Accepted worldwide |
❌ Truely is never correct in any English variant. Using it can make your writing look careless, especially in professional or academic contexts.
Which Spelling Should You Use?
For clarity, credibility, and professionalism, always use truly.
Audience-Based Guidance:
- American readers: Truly
- British readers: Truly
- Academic readers: Truly
- Professional or business emails: Truly
Even in informal messages, using truly demonstrates proper spelling habits, whereas truely appears careless.
Common Mistakes with Truly or Truely
Despite its simplicity, many people make repeated mistakes. Here are the most common:
- Adding an unnecessary “e”
- ❌ Truely
- ✅ Truly
- Confusing with similar adverbs
- Truly vs sincerely vs genuinely
- Truely vs truthfully
- Overcorrecting
- Some learners add “e” to other adverbs incorrectly and carry this over to “truly.”
- Using truely in professional writing
- Emails, reports, or essays may be marked wrong.
Corrected examples:
- ❌ I am truely thankful for your help.
- ✅ I am truly thankful for your help.
Truly or Truely in Everyday Examples
In Emails
- I am truly grateful for your assistance.
- Thank you; I am truly honored to collaborate with you.
In Professional Writing
- This report is truly comprehensive and insightful.
- The proposal is truly innovative and promising.
Academic Writing
- The findings truly demonstrate the significance of the research.
- She has truly mastered the subject matter.
On Social Media
- I am truly blessed today!
- Feeling truly inspired by everyone’s support.
Truly or Truely – Google Trends & Usage Data
Search data confirms:
- “Truly meaning” has far more searches than “truely meaning.”
- Most queries come from students, writers, and ESL learners.
- Grammar platforms mark truely as incorrect.
This demonstrates that truly dominates modern English usage worldwide, while truely is a common mistake.
Truly vs Truely – Comparison Table
| Word | Correct? | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truly | ✅ Yes | Honestly, genuinely | Standard spelling |
| Truely | ❌ No | — | Common misspelling |
| Truly important | ✅ Yes | Correct phrase | Emphasizes sincerity |
| Truely important | ❌ No | — | Incorrect |
| Truly grateful | ✅ Yes | Correct | Used in emails, letters |
| Truely grateful | ❌ No | — | Wrong |
Strong Usage Guide
When to Use Truly
- Expressing honesty: I am truly sorry.
- Emphasizing a statement or feeling: This is truly remarkable.
- In professional and academic writing
- In social media posts to show sincerity
When to Avoid Truely
- Never use truely in formal writing.
- Avoid in emails, essays, reports, and social posts meant to be professional.
Synonyms for Truly
- Honestly
- Genuinely
- Sincerely
- Indeed
- Actually
- Factually
Examples:
- I am genuinely grateful → I am truly grateful
- She is sincerely impressed → She is truly impressed
Using synonyms occasionally can avoid repetition and improve readability.
Truly in Different Contexts
Academic Writing
- The study truly demonstrates the importance of climate research.
- Her thesis is truly comprehensive.
Professional Emails
- I am truly grateful for your assistance with the project.
- Thank you; your support is truly appreciated.
Social Media / Informal
- Feeling truly blessed today!
- I truly love how this community supports each other.
Literature and Quotes
- “I am truly sorry,” she whispered.
- The hero was truly courageous, showing sincerity in action.
Additional Examples for Daily Usage
- The movie was truly inspiring.
- I am truly thankful for your patience.
- The speech was truly memorable.
- She is truly an expert in her field.
- We are truly excited about the opportunity.
These examples cover emails, conversations, social media, and academic contexts, reinforcing correct usage.
FAQs
1. Is truely a real word?
No. Truely is a misspelling; the correct form is truly.
2. Why is it spelled truly and not truely?
English drops the final e before adding -ly: true + ly → truly.
3. Can truly be used in formal writing?
Yes. It is accepted in academic, professional, and business writing.
4. Is truly informal?
No. It is polite and formal enough for professional communication.
5. What is the difference between truly and genuinely?
Both show sincerity; truly is slightly more formal and broadly applicable.
6. How do I use truly in a sentence?
- I am truly honored to work with you.
- This is a truly remarkable discovery.
7. Can truly be used for emphasis?
Yes. Example: It is truly the best decision we’ve made.
Conclusion
The spelling confusion between truly or truely is simple to resolve. Truly is correct in all modern English contexts, while truely is an outdated or incorrect form.
Using truly ensures clarity, professionalism, and correctness in emails, academic papers, social media posts, and formal documents.
Whether emphasizing gratitude, sincerity, or honesty, always choose truly. Understanding this simple rule allows you to write confidently and avoid one of the most common spelling mistakes in English.
Mark Nichol is a professional writer and grammar-focused content creator at Grammiffy, where he explains English usage, punctuation, and common writing mistakes in a clear and practical way.
With a reader-friendly approach, Mark helps digital learners improve sentence structure and everyday writing skills with confidence.
