sorely

Sorely is an adverb used in English language to express intensity of feeling or degree of suffering. It is often used to describe a strong or intense emotion, such as being sorry, worried, or anxious.

In its negative form, sorely means to a great degree or to a serious extent. For example, "I am sorely disappointed" means that the speaker's disappointment is very strong. In its positive form, sorely means to a significant or substantial degree. For example, "I was sorely hoping" means that the speaker was holding on to the hope with great intensity.

The word sorely has been in use since the 15th century. Initially, its primary function was to intensify a negative emotion. Over time, however, it has come to be used to describe both positive and negative emotions. In modern English, sorely continues to be an essential part of the language, especially in informal conversation and writing.

Sorely can be used in various ways to express the intensity of a feeling. It can be used as a standalone adverb or as an intensifier in a phrase or clause. For example, "I was sorely tired after working all day," or "I am sorely missing my family over the holidays."

In terms of grammatical function, sorely often precedes the verb. It can also be used after the verb to emphasize its intensity. Sorely is generally considered informal and should not be used in formal writing or academic contexts, but it is a common and effective way to add emphasis to one's emotions in everyday language.