We often use the word “okay” as a confirmation or approval of something that’s been said by someone else. However, this isn’t always considered a proper or appropriate response. Therefore, this article will look at alternative options that we can utilize instead.
What Can I Say Instead Of “Okay”?
While merely saying “okay” is a considerably easy response, it’s not always appreciated and because of this, different terms become necessary. This article will look at the following terms:
- Indeed
- Definitely
- True
- All right
- Indubitably
- Very Well
- Yes
- Fine
- For sure
- Absolutely
The preferred version is “indeed” because it appropriately and formally conveys a similar message. We are leaving no doubt to the fact that we do agree with the person who has spoken, informed us, etc. Being a more formal answer, this term is very appropriate for professional settings.
Indeed
When we respond with “indeed”, we are confirming our agreement with what has been said. We can use this term to emphasize a statement, just as we would when positively confirming a point, argument, etc. This is considered to be a polite response to someone’s remarks.
We can also use “indeed” to introduce a further and stronger, or more surprising point of interest. This makes the term rather versatile, but no matter which way we choose to use it, it’s considered an affirmative or supporting response.
Here are a few examples of how we can use this term conversationally:
- Mark: We could use some new tires on the car.
- Jen: Indeed, they’re looking a little worse for wear.
- Thomas: This weather is horrible!
- Ken: Indeed, it’s been miserable out this week.
- That sweater is attractive for men and indeed women as well.
Definitely
Another excellent term that we can choose to use in replacement of our original is “definitely”. When we use this term, we are using it for emphasizing purposes or an essential agreement with something that’s been said or suggested to us.
When we use “definitely”, we are creating a forceful and clear way of agreeing, or essentially saying “yes” to someone.
We can also use this term to describe a clear or definite manner, one that cannot be disputed.
To showcase how to use this term, here are some examples:
- David: These cookies are amazing.
- Frank: Definitely! She did a great job baking them.
- Joe: Today is going by so slowly.
- Jack: Definitely! Have the clock hands even moved?
- We couldn’t choose the vacation spot until we heard from you more definitely.
True
When we respond with the term “true”, we are validating something that someone has already said or confirming our agreement with their opinion. Often, we use this term in accordance with what we associate to be reality or factual information.
When we say “true”, we think that something has been described accurately, or without any variations in detail. We say this term as a recognition of that fact.
Some ways in which we can use this term properly are:
- George: Richard was being incredibly rude today.
- Pete: True! I’m not sure what’s wrong with him
- Liam: It’s almost Christmas vacation and there’s still no snow!
- Dan: True, but we’re supposed to get some tomorrow.
- Kate: We first travelled to the moon in 1969, right?
- Jess: True!
All Right
We can also use “all right” as another acceptable alternative. When we use this term, we are expressing our agreement with someone’s opinion or statement. However, it’s important to note that we should use this term when we believe something is acceptable or satisfactory; not especially good.
“All right” is another versatile term, as we can use it in more than one way. We can also use this term to emphasize how certain we are about something or when we are requesting acceptance or agreement in something we’ve said.
Folks are often surprised to learn that “all right” is considered the only proper spelling of this term. The commonly seen “alright”, is considered an unacceptable variant, despite being used informally.
To clarify, here are a few examples showing how to use this term:
- The coffee was all right, it could have been hotter.
- Henry: Are you sure that it is her?
- John: It’s her, all right?
- Casey: Can you please let me know what’s going on?
- Sam: All right, I will tell you.
Indubitably
Another excellent and highly formal option which we can choose to use is “indubitably”. When we say this term, we are meaning to imply a complete sense of agreement with something someone has said, an opinion that was expressed, factual information, etc.
When we say “indubitably”, we are saying something has been presented in a way that is patently evident or certain. Similarly, this means we are unquestioning of a comment or that we believe something without a doubt.
Here are a few examples, to help further explain this term:
- A week at the medical spa has indubitably improved Grandma’s health.
- Student: The report is due next Friday, correct?
- Professor: Indubitably!
- She was indubitably the smartest student in her class.
Very Well
We can use “very well” as another considerably formal alternative. This makes this term best suited for formal or professional settings. We can use this term to express our agreement with a given statement, fact, opinion, etc. We can also use this term to describe our consent.
We can consider “very well” an appropriately agreeable response, in any given situation. Although it’s considered formal, it doesn’t have to be solely used in those given circumstances.
At the same time, this term can also be used to signify the status of one’s health.
Some examples of how we can utilize this term are:
- Student: If it’s alright, I’d like to be excused to use the restroom.
- Professor: Very well, hurry along.
- They didn’t know one another very well at all.
- The experiment went very well, with both substances reacting as we hypothesized.
Yes
Quite clearly the most simplistic of the different term choices is “yes”. We use this term, of course, to give an affirmative response to a posed question, statement or comment. We can also use this term as a response to someone addressing us or requesting our attention.
Answering a question or comment with “yes” may arguably be the most common answer used. This is because it’s incredibly clear, leaving no room to estimate whether or not we’ve agreed.
At the same time, “yes” makes an appropriate response when someone is addressing us or has otherwise attempted to attract our attention to them.
To showcase a few different ways to use this common term, here are examples:
- Student: Do we get to have recess outdoors today?
- Teacher: Yes! It’s finally warmed up enough for us to venture outside.
- Anne: Hello, Jim? Do you have a moment?
- Jim: Yes, I do!
- Tom: Do you like unicorns?
- Dario: Yes, but I’m not certain they are real.
Fine
Another option we can use as an alternative statement is “fine”. While this is sometimes misconstrued as a remark coming from a place of anger or upset feelings, this isn’t the case. The term “fine” can be used to describe something we believe is of the highest quality.
We can also use the term “fine” when we wish to express something that we agree with or something that we believe to be satisfactory.
This is considered to be both a formal and appropriate response to someone’s comment, question, etc.
Here are a few examples showcasing how to use this term:
- Dad: How’s the job-hunting going, son?
- Son: Oh, fine. Thanks for asking.
- Anne: How did you find that test?
- Sarah: It was fine. I didn’t find it too challenging.
- Carrie: Did you see my engagement ring?
- Coral: Yes, the diamond looks so fine!
For Sure
As we’ve viewed many formal alternatives, it’s about time we look at a purely informal approach. The phrase “for sure” may be considered informal, however, it’s still viewed as an acceptable response. It’s another excellent way to showcase our agreement with someone.
When we reply to someone with “for sure”, we are agreeing to something that has been said or proposed to us, without a shadow of a doubt. At the same time, we can say that something is “for sure”, to showcase that it is definitive or true.
Now, we’ll look at a few ways in which we can use this phrase:
- I can’t say for sure what Cathy wanted.
- Paula: Do you want to go to the mall with me today?
- Taylor: For sure! That sounds like fun.
- She won’t have the slightest bit of trouble getting his attention, that’s for sure.
Absolutely
The final option we will take a look at is the term “absolutely”. This is another great term to use when we want to showcase our undeniable and unwavering agreement with something that someone has said or expressed to us.
When we say “absolutely” in response to something that’s been said, we are expressing that we agree or accept with no limitations or restrictions. Essentially, “absolutely” is quite consistent with the term “totally”.
While we often use this term to agree with someone, we can also use it to grant someone permission to do something.
Finally, here are our last few examples for this article:
- Daughter: Can I have a sleepover with my friends tonight, mom?
- Mom: Absolutely! Would you like to rent a movie?
- Student: Can we do our work in the library?
- Teacher: Absolutely, let’s all head there right away.
- She trusted him absolutely and without question.