Neutrally

Neutrally is an English adverb meaning in a manner that is impartial or unbiased, without taking sides or expressing strong emotion. It describes actions, statements, or presentations that aim to be objective and free from personal bias.

Usage and typical contexts

In journalism and research, neutrally reporting or presenting facts is valued to avoid shaping readers’ or listeners’ opinions. In formal and legal writing, neutrally worded language helps prevent imply endorsement or condemnation. The adverb can modify verbs, adjectives, or entire clauses, as in “present neutrally,” “report neutrally,” or “state neutrally.” In everyday language, people might say someone spoke neutrally about a controversial topic or described the results neutrally, indicating a lack of sensationalism or bias.

Etymology and grammar

Neutrally is formed from the adjective neutral with the suffix -ly, which converts it into an adverb. The root neutral comes from Latin neuter, meaning neither of two, or neither side. Grammatically, neutrally primarily modifies actions or descriptions, rather than nouns.

Related concepts

Related terms include neutrality, objectivity, and impartiality. While neutral as an adjective describes a stance or position, neutrally specifies the manner in which something is done or presented.

See also

Objectivity, impartiality, neutrality, unbiased reporting.