Indeed means really, truly. It confirms what was said and adds something even stronger: The exam was hard. Indeed, only half of us passed. After very and an adjective, indeed simply intensifies: very cold indeed. In the proverb A friend in need is a friend indeed, it means “truly”: someone who helps you in hard times is a real friend.
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statement. Indeed, + stronger statement; subject + indeed + verb; very + adjective + indeed (BrE)
- The new policy was unpopular. Indeed, more than half the staff signed a petition against it.
- You said the hike would be tough, and it was indeed the hardest walk of my life.
- Thank you very much indeed for your help with the move.
What changed
First versionMany people think the city is dangerous. Indeed, it is one of the safest in Europe.
RevisionMany people think the city is dangerous. In fact, it is one of the safest in Europe.
Actually can both confirm and contradict, so it's easy to treat indeed the same way. Indeed can only do the first: it says “yes, that's right, and even more”. Here the second sentence contradicts what most people think, so Indeed was replaced with In fact, which introduces the truth against expectations.
In fact works both ways: it can confirm and strengthen, or it can contradict. Indeed only confirms: It was a difficult year for small shops. Indeed, many of them closed. A lone Indeed as a reply sounds bookish and a little stiff. In everyday conversation, people say Exactly or Definitely.
Your turn
My friends expected the exam to be very hard. ___, it was the easiest test of the year.
Show the answer
In fact — The second sentence contradicts the friends' expectations: the exam turned out to be easy. For this kind of “actually”, you need in fact. Indeed would confirm that the exam was hard, and the two sentences would contradict each other.
Write two sentences about a city or a profession. In the first, give an opinion; in the second, use Indeed to back it up with a specific fact.
Nursing is a very demanding job. Indeed, my sister often works twelve-hour shifts without a proper break.
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