Surely vs. safely

[Lyudmila]

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #132 "Ways of showing pleasure", question 5

I can ......... say that I don't think I've ever enjoyed myself so much before.

(a) surely
(b) safely
(c) clearly
(d) notably

Business Idiom in English, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #132 "Ways of showing pleasure", answer 5

I can safely say that I don't think I've ever enjoyed myself so much before.

Correct answer: (b) safely

Your answer was: incorrect
I can surely say that I don't think I've ever enjoyed myself so much before.
_________________________

why can't we use the word surely?

[Alan]

Hi,

The use of surely often suggests: it must be true/it must be a fact. You wouldn't use it in this case in the sentence because the verb is in the first person. You would say: You surely don't believe that.

Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Good Bye Summer