Strictly speaking

Question

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/strictly

Strictly speaking, the book is not a novel but a series of short stories.

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Can we omit the "speaking" above?

Shawn79 · Accepted Answer

No, you can't omit "speaking" in that expression. You can of course omit that expression or substitute another adverb:

The book is not a novel but a series of short stories.
Actually, the book is not a novel but a series of short stories.

HUBLOT · Answer

Thank you, Shawn79.

http://www.learnersdictionary.com/search/technically
- Technically, a tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable. = Technically speaking, a tomato is a fruit, not a vegetable.

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It's not possible to omit "speaking" in "strictly speaking," but is it possible to leave out "speaking" in "technically speaking"?

Shawn79 · Answer

You're welcome Hublot!

I like the links you provided.

The dictionary equates "technically" and "technically speaking" in that example because to a native speaker there would be no difference in meaning. Also, my dictionary calls "strictly speaking" a synonym of these.

1. Technically (speaking), a tomato is a fruit.
2. Strictly speaking, a tomato is a fruit.

"Strictly" without "speaking" can have a few meanings. Dictionaries provide many examples. Here is my attempt at creating a couple examples:

Strictly speaking, a tomato is a fruit (factually a fruit, but you might hear it called a vegetable).
A tomato is strictly a fruit (and only a fruit, never a vegetable).

Strictly speaking, lunch break is at noon. (supposed to be at noon by the rules, but might vary in practice)
Lunch break is strictly at noon. (exactly and only at noon, no earlier, no later)

Hope that helps some!

Strictly speaking

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