Is this a correct English sentence: "I was literally turned to stone"?

looney_tunes

Main Entry: lit·er·al·ly Pronunciation: ˈli-tə-rə-lē, ˈli-trə-lē, ˈli-tər-lē Function: adverb Date: 1533 1 : in a literal sense or manner : actually 2 : in effect : virtually usage Since some people take sense 2 to be the opposite of sense 1, it has been frequently criticized as a misuse. Instead, the use is pure hyperbole intended to gain emphasis, but it often appears in contexts where no additional emphasis is necessary. Your sentence uses the second sense of the word literally. http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/literally Jan 18 10, 6:08 AM

author

Can you explain in other words why this is a hyperbole? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hyperbole Jan 18 10, 6:37 AM

looney_tunes

The use of 'literally' when 'figuratively' seems more appropriate is ironic. As it is followed by something that clearly could NOT have actually happened, it is exaggerating the situation. It suggests that the (emotional or physical) situation is more extreme than would normally be understood. In this case, I was REALLY scared, not just somewhat scared. But I personally would not use it - turned to stone is expressive enough as it is. Jan 18 10, 12:57 PM

Baloo55th

As a lot (note - two words not one) of people take the first (the literal...( meaning as the only one, to say you were literally turned to stone is either an oxymoron (or something like that), or you have been turned back later. I prefer to keep to the literal meaning of literally rather than to use it in the sense 2. Jan 18 10, 2:49 PM

looney_tunes

I would have called it an incorrect use of language, but Merriam-Webster tells me I would be wrong! I'll still avoid using literally for emphasis, as I think it produces nonsensical statements. Jan 19 10, 12:04 AM