real

real

1. As an intensifying adverb real is a characteristic Americanism and even in AmE is informal:

• You look real nice today, Carla —New Yorker, 1987.

The standard adverb in most contexts is really.

2. As an adjective real tends to be overused in an intensifying role equivalent to adjectives such as ‘significant, important, strong’:

• It may be too late to halt the brain drain and decline in morale unless the Government shows a real commitment to research —Daily Telegraph, 1992

• There are real conflicts of interest and viewpoint —Whole Earth, AmE 2000 [OEC].

In such contexts a more exact word, such as strong in the first example and significant in the second, can be more effective.

3. For real is an informal expression of AmE origin dating from the 1950s and used to emphasize the seriousness or genuineness of what is being said

• (Global warming is for real —farming website, AmE 2004 [OEC]).