Completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The part of the phrase "Completely" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to emphasize totality or fullness in a statement. Example: "She was completely satisfied with the service." Alternative expressions include "entirely" and "totally."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I now regret it completely.

The New York Times

"Mo's training was completely chaotic before Alberto took over.

The Guardian - Sport

I understood completely.

The New York Times

"I'm completely lost.

The New York Times

I was completely wrong.

The New York Times - Arts

Catherine West, who beat Lynne Featherstone in the Red Wedding of the Lib Dem's election, creates a completely different atmosphere, but it's also one of infinite possibility.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It got worse: "There were two men who were particularly rude and completely dismissive of what I did".

The Guardian

He fled Paris on a bicycle during the Nazi Occupation and, after a stint in the French Resistance, later found himself by chance serving as an air force photographer in France's Indo-China war in the early 1950s, travelling through Vietnam and then Cambodia, completely self-taught.

The Guardian - Arts

Within years of his death he was almost completely forgotten.

The Guardian - Arts

And how does hunting now compare to the way it used to be? "Completely different".

The Guardian

"He's said from the start that he wants to co-operate completely with the royal commission and I'd expect that to continue," Fisher said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely" to emphasize the extent or degree to which something is done or achieved. For example, "The project was completely finished ahead of schedule".

Common error

Avoid using "completely" excessively in formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "fully", "entirely", or more specific verbs to convey the same meaning with greater precision.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "completely" functions as an intensifier, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the fullest extent or degree. Ludwig confirms its role as an adverb, as exemplified by sentences expressing complete understanding or being completely lost.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

98%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely" is a versatile adverb that intensifies the meaning of verbs, adjectives, and other adverbs by indicating totality or thoroughness. As Ludwig AI states, it is grammatically sound and widely used. While its usage spans from formal to informal registers, it is most prevalent in News & Media. For precise writing, consider synonyms like "entirely" or "totally", and avoid overuse in formal contexts. Using "completely" effectively ensures clarity and emphasis in your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely

Similar to "completely", but may emphasize wholeness or unity.

totally

Indicates a lack of exception or qualification.

fully

Emphasizes the extent to which something is done.

utterly

Implies a stronger degree of totality, often with a negative connotation.

wholly

More formal synonym for "completely", suggesting undivided or exclusive attention.

absolutely

Adds emphasis and conviction to the statement.

altogether

Suggests considering all aspects or elements.

thoroughly

Implies a detailed and careful approach.

perfectly

Indicates something is flawless or without fault.

radically

Suggests a fundamental or extreme change.

FAQs

How to use "completely" in a sentence?

"Completely" is an adverb that modifies verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs. It indicates that something is done to the fullest extent. For example, "I am "completely satisfied" with the results".

What can I say instead of "completely"?

You can use alternatives like "entirely", "totally", or "fully" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "completely different" or "totally different"?

Both "completely different" and "totally different" are correct and widely used. The choice depends on personal preference and the specific nuance you want to convey.

What's the difference between "completely" and "utterly"?

"Completely" generally means fully or entirely, while "utterly" often implies a stronger degree of totality, sometimes with a negative connotation. For instance, "completely wrong" simply means entirely wrong, whereas "utterly wrong" suggests a more profound or egregious error.