Legal Writing

Verbally and Orally

By Maeve Maddox

Laurel asks:
Can you please clarify when to use ‘verbally’ and when to use ‘orally’?

Verbally comes from Latin verbum, “word.” Its adjective form verbal is often used in the sense of “spoken,” and contrasted with “written.” Here are some examples from a discussion about giving notice to a landlord:

If you give notice verbally and not in writing, is it legally binding?

A verbal agreement should be binding. BUT there is nothing like a written agreement

It’s always better to do everything in writing?

Nothing works verbally in law.

Verbally is used in other contexts to mean “with words” or “words without action”:

The woman abused her children verbally.

He has no patience with people who verbally profess charity, but do nothing to relieve the misery of others.

Orally comes from Late Latin oralis, which comes from Latin os, “mouth.” It means “by mouth.” Like verbally, orally is sometimes use in the sense of “spoken”:

Teachers shall require book reports to be presented orally.

More often, orally means “by mouth”

How to get a 3 year old to take medicine orally

How to Give Cat Medicine Orally

Since taking medicine “orally” involves “swallowing” it, the following example from the web is overkill:

[What] if someone orally swallowed some Lidocaine…?

Full post as published by Daily Writing Tips on June 30, 2010 (boomark / email).