Absolutely or Apsolutely – Which is Correct?
Ah, the wonders of spelling and pronunciation! They can be the bane of every English learner’s existence. You might find yourself wondering, is it absolutely or apsolutely? Which one is correct? Well, fear not, for I am here to shed some light on this matter and put your mind at ease.
Let’s start by stating the obvious, shall we? The correct spelling is absolutely. That’s right, two “l’s” and one “s.” However, this doesn’t mean that apsolutely has no place in the English language. Wait, what? Yes, you heard me right.
While absolutely is the standard and widely accepted form, apsolutely can be seen as a slang or informal version. It is often used to add emphasis or express a sense of excitement or disbelief. Picture this: you’re having a conversation with your friend, and they tell you something extraordinary. You might exclaim, “Apsolutely incredible!” It’s a way to make your point with a touch of flair.
Now, let’s dive deeper into the reasons why absolutely is considered the proper spelling. English spelling can be a puzzling thing, and sometimes words don’t follow the rules we’d expect. In this case, absolutely adheres to the general rule of doubling consonants after a short vowel sound when adding a suffix. Remember, “absolutely” is formed by adding the suffix “-ly” to the adjective “absolute.” The “e” in absolute is dropped before adding the suffix, giving us absolutely.
To further clarify, let’s examine some examples to illustrate the correct usage of absolutely:
1. “I absolutely love chocolate.” – Here, absolutely is used to emphasize the speaker’s strong affection for chocolate.
2. “She’s absolutely right about the answer.” – In this sentence, absolutely strengthens the certainty that the person is correct.
3. “We are absolutely thrilled to be here.” – In this case, absolutely expresses extreme excitement or joy.
Now, let’s take a moment to explore the alternative form, apsolutely. As mentioned earlier, it is not considered the standard spelling, but it has found its place in informal spoken language and online communication, such as social media or text messages. It can be seen as a way to convey enthusiasm or even mock incredulity in a playful manner. However, it is important to note that apsolutely should be strictly reserved for informal situations as it may be viewed as careless or unprofessional in more formal contexts.
To illustrate the usage of apsolutely, let’s take a look at a few examples:
1. “You won the lottery? Apsolutely amazing!” – Here, apsolutely is used to add enthusiastic emphasis to the astounding news.
2. “Apsolutely no way I can finish this assignment in one night!” – In this case, apsolutely is used sarcastically to express disbelief or impossibility.
3. “Apsolutely hilarious, I can’t stop laughing!” – In this example, apsolutely is used to emphasize how funny something is.
In conclusion, while absolutely is the correct and widely recognized spelling, apsolutely has made its way into informal usage as a slang variant. Absolutely is the go-to in formal writing and professional settings, while apsolutely can be used to add emphasis or convey a more casual tone in spoken language and online communication. It’s all a matter of context and understanding the appropriate level of formality.
So there you have it, my friend. The choice is yours – absolutely or apsolutely? Just remember to use them wisely and always keep the context in mind. Happy communicating!