This is a very common spelling confusion in English. The words look similar, but only one of them is correct.
Many people assume “truely” follows normal spelling rules like “true + ly,” but English has a slightly different rule here.
The Quick Answer
- Truly → ✅ correct spelling
- Truely → ❌ incorrect spelling
So:
- I am truly sorry. ✅
- I am truely sorry. ❌
What Does “Truly” Mean?
Truly means:
👉 really
👉 honestly
👉 sincerely
👉 in a genuine way
It is used to emphasize truth or sincerity.
Examples:
- I am truly grateful.
- She is truly talented.
- That was a truly amazing experience.
- He is truly sorry for his mistake.
👉 Think: truly = really / sincerely
Why People Write “Truely”
The mistake happens because of a common spelling assumption:
People think:
- true + ly → truely ❌
But English spelling drops the “e” in this case.
Correct rule:
- true → truly (the “e” is removed)
Simple Spelling Rule
When a word ends in -ue, like:
- true
- due
- blue (exception rules vary)
We often drop the “e” before adding -ly:
- true → truly
- due → duly
So:
👉 no “e” before -ly in “true”
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Word | Correct? | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Truly | ✅ Yes | sincerely, really |
| Truely | ❌ No | incorrect spelling |
Real-Life Examples
Everyday English
- I truly appreciate your help.
- She is truly happy now.
Emotional Context
- He was truly sorry.
- I am truly thankful.
Formal Writing
- We are truly committed to this project.
- This is a truly global issue.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Mistake 1: Adding an extra “e”
❌ truely
👉 incorrect spelling
Mistake 2: Overthinking “true + ly”
❌ true + ly = truely
👉 English spelling rule breaks this assumption
Mistake 3: Mixing in formal writing
❌ truely important
✅ truly important
Easy Memory Trick
Think:
- true → truly (just remove the “e”)
Or:
👉 truly = true + ly (but drop the e)
Helpful Human Insight
This mistake is extremely common even among native speakers in fast typing or informal messaging. However, in academic writing, business communication, and exams, “truly” is the only correct form.
Search engines and grammar tools will always flag “truely” as incorrect.
Quick Self-Test
Which is correct?
- truely sorry
- truly sorry
✅ Correct: #2
Which means “sincerely”?
- truely
- truly
✅ Correct: #2
Final Verdict: Truly vs Truely
- Truly = correct spelling meaning sincerely or really
- Truely = incorrect spelling
So:
- I am truly happy.
- That is a truly great idea.
Remember: true becomes truly (drop the “e”)