True or Real?
2021-08-21
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1This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from an English learner in South Korea who recently began using our website.
2The reader says:
3Dear VOA, I want to know the difference between "true" and "real."
4Would you tell me? Thank you very much.
5Hello and thanks for asking this useful question.
6I am an English teacher.
7But when I study other languages, sometimes I also confuse these two adjectives.
8In English, "true" and "real" have clear differences. Let's start with "true."
9"True" means something is factually correct.
10Knowing its opposite is helpful.
11The opposite of true is false, or incorrect.
12Take this as an example: "Did you know that flamingo birds feed their babies with a red liquid called 'crop milk'? It's true."
13That means it is factual.
14"Real" means actually existing or happening.
15The opposite of real is fictional or imaginary.
16Take this sentence as an example: "I just learned that narwhals are real animals."
17That means that they are not imaginary creatures. They actually exist.
18"Real" can also mean authentic.
19For example, if someone says, "This jewel is real," they are saying the stone is authentic.
20Now let's talk about adverbs.
21When "true" and "real" take adverb form, some English learners may be unsure which to choose.
22The good news is that, as adverbs, both of these words often mean something like "very."
23For example, if someone says, "I am truly sorry" it is like saying, "I am really sorry."
24If someone says, "It was really hot this morning," it's like saying, "It was truly hot this morning."
25Note that "really" is more common than "truly" in spoken English.
26And that's Ask a Teacher for this week.
27I'm Alice Bryant.
1This week on Ask a Teacher, we answer a question from an English learner in South Korea who recently began using our website. The reader says: 2Question: 3Dear VOA, I want to know the difference between "true" and "real." Would you tell me? Thank you very much. 4Answer: 5Hello and thanks for asking this useful question. 6I am an English teacher. But when I study other languages, sometimes I also confuse these two adjectives. 7In English, "true" and "real" have clear differences. Let's start with "true." 8"True" means something is factually correct. Knowing its opposite is helpful. The opposite of true is false, or incorrect. 9Take this as an example: "Did you know that flamingo birds feed their babies with a red liquid called 'crop milk'? It's true." That means it is factual. 10"Real" means actually existing or happening. The opposite of real is fictional or imaginary. 11Take this sentence as an example: "I just learned that narwhals are real animals." That means that they are not imaginary creatures. They actually exist. 12"Real" can also mean authentic. For example, if someone says, "This jewel is real," they are saying the stone is authentic. 13Truly and really 14Now let's talk about adverbs. When "true" and "real" take adverb form, some English learners may be unsure which to choose. The good news is that, as adverbs, both of these words often mean something like "very." 15For example, if someone says, "I am truly sorry" it is like saying, "I am really sorry." If someone says, "It was really hot this morning," it's like saying, "It was truly hot this morning." 16Note that "really" is more common than "truly" in spoken English. 17And that's Ask a Teacher for this week. 18I'm Alice Bryant. 19Alice Bryant wrote this lesson for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 20___________________________________________________________ 21Words in This Story 22confuse - v. to make someone uncertain or unable to understand something 23fictional - adj. of or relating to something that is invented by the imagination 24narwhal - n. a medium-sized whale that has a large "tusk" from a protruding canine tooth 25authentic - n. not copied or fake