Basic Details
Word: Drastically
Part of Speech: Adverb
Meaning: In a sudden and severe way that makes a very big difference.
Synonyms: severely, sharply, radically, dramatically
Antonyms: slightly, gradually, mildly
How to Spell Drastically
Syllables: dras - ti - cal - ly
Tricky part: The ending is -ically: drastic + ally, with one c and a double l. Drasticly, with the al missing, is the usual slip.
Watch out for: drasticly, drasticaly, drastikally
Memory tip: Say it slowly, dras-ti-CAL-ly, and you will hear the cal that drasticly leaves out; tragically and basically are built the same way.
Usage Examples
Example 1: Tomato prices rose drastically after the floods.
Example 2: Her handwriting improved drastically after a month of practice.
Example 3: The plan for the trip was drastically changed at the last minute.
Fun Fact
Drastic first described strong medicines: it comes from the Greek drastikos, active or effective, and doctors once used it for powerful remedies.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Makeup
Only one of these words takes the suffix -ally to make a real word. Choose it:
-ally
a) drastic
b) slow
c) quick
d) honest
Show answer
a) drastic. Words ending in -ic, like drastic, add -ally; quick, slow and honest simply add -ly.
Word Connection
Choose the antonym of the word drastically as used in the sentence:
The number of house sparrows in our town has fallen drastically over the last ten years.
a) steeply
b) slightly
c) severely
d) sharply
Show answer
b) slightly. A drastic fall is a huge one; sharply, severely and steeply say the same, while slightly means only a little.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
drasticcally
a) l
b) c
c) t
d) a
Show answer
b) c. Drastic has one c after the i, and adding -ally does not double it.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. A drastically shorter queue is ____.
a) a little shorter
b) exactly the same
c) much shorter than before
d) slightly longer
Show answer
c) much shorter than before
2. Which situation most needs drastic action?
a) a dusty shelf
b) a fire spreading fast
c) a quiet afternoon
d) a blunt pencil
Show answer
b) a fire spreading fast
