real, really

Although real can be a noun (Is this for real?), it is regularly used as an adjective meaning "true," "actual," "genuine," and "sincere": "What is the real reason for your laughter?" "This is a story of real life." "That looks like a real ruby." "They formed a real friendship." Really is an adverb meaning "truly," "actually," "in reality," "genuinely," and "indeed": "This is how things really are." "She is a really lovely girl." "Really, is that your whole story?" Really should be used to modify verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs (really ill, really fast, really moving). Real should be used to modify only nouns and pronouns (real gems, the real him) and should not be used in expressions such as "real soon," "real pretty," and "real excited." "Really and truly" is grammatically correct but wordy and trite; use really or truly but not both in the same expression. See also actual.