Which is an example of semantic shift in modern English?

• A. Literally used as an intensifier
• B. Literally used to indicate precision
• C. Literally used only in religious texts
• D. Literally never used figuratively

Answer: (A)

Semantic shift happens when a word’s meaning moves over time. Here, the word literally used to mean something true and exactly in accordance with the letter of the fact. In modern English, it’s often used as an emphatic intensifier, even when what’s being described isn’t literally true. That shift—from a precise truth claim to a broad, non-literal emphasis—illustrates how words evolve with how people actually use them in conversation and writing.

So, using literally as an intensifier shows the semantic change clearly. The other possibilities describe different aspects of usage that don’t illustrate this shift: indicating precision would keep the old sense, usage restricted to religious texts is a historical note but not a modern shift, and claiming it’s never used figuratively is simply inaccurate in contemporary usage.