I know totally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I know totally" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or informal.
It can be used in casual conversation to express complete certainty or agreement, but it is better suited for spoken language rather than formal writing. Example: "I know totally that we can finish this project on time if we work together."

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Or maybe — and this is the theory I like best, but can least substantiate — "No, totally" is really a contraction of "I know, totally".

The New Yorker

Or maybe and this is the theory I like best, but can least substantiate—"No, totally" is really a contraction of "I know, totally".

The New Yorker

2. Practice Mindfulness and Meditation I know, totally San Francisco hippy dippy.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"I know we totally respected that place," he said.

The New York Times - Sports

I know I totally relate.

Huffington Post

All I know is, I totally just unplugged it and have been sans detector ever since.

TechCrunch

I know this is totally absurd, that I'm making it sound totally absurd.

The New Yorker

Love you, Mom They write because they worry: I know this is totally off topic, but I had a dream last night.

The New Yorker

I know it sounds totally corny, but she really instilled in me a great deal of, y'know, sort of a desire to serve.

The New York Times

"I don't think terrorists are going to crash a plane into downtown Salt Lake City, but I know we're totally unprepared in terms of biological warfare.

The New York Times - Sports

"I know that sounds totally insane, but they came back and did the same thing on Saturday and the same thing on Sunday," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider your audience and the context. While "I know totally" can be acceptable in casual conversation, opt for more formal alternatives like "I completely understand" in professional or academic settings.

Common error

Avoid using "I know totally" in formal writing or presentations. It may come across as unprofessional or lacking in seriousness. Instead, use phrases like "I completely understand" or "I am fully aware".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I know totally" functions as an affirmative expression, indicating the speaker's certainty or agreement. It's a more emphatic way of saying "I know". As noted by Ludwig, this phrase is not standard in written English and is more suitable for spoken language.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

2%

Encyclopedias

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I know totally" is an informal way to express certainty or agreement. Ludwig AI suggests that while acceptable in casual conversation, it's generally not suitable for formal writing. The phrase functions as an affirmative expression, conveying strong understanding or agreement. Its usage is most common in News & Media contexts but less frequent in formal or academic settings. For professional communication, consider alternatives like "I completely understand" or "I am fully aware".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I definitely know

Replaces "totally" with "definitely" to convey emphasis.

I completely know

Replaces "totally" with "completely" for a slightly more formal tone, emphasizing the thoroughness of knowledge.

I understand completely

Rearranges the words to emphasize the completeness of understanding.

I fully understand

Shifts the focus to understanding rather than just knowing, implying a deeper comprehension.

I am totally aware

Replaces "know" with "aware", highlighting that the user is conscious of the situation.

I am fully aware

Emphasizes awareness, suggesting that the speaker is not only knowledgeable but also conscious of the implications.

I am well aware

Similar to "I am fully aware" but with a slightly different nuance, highlighting the extent of the speaker's knowledge.

I am certain

Highlights the user's strong belief and conviction about the situation or subject.

I'm absolutely sure

Similar to "I am certain", this phrase emphasizes the user's strong conviction and confidence in something.

I acknowledge completely

Implies recognition and acceptance of a situation or idea with a more formal tone.

FAQs

When is it appropriate to use "I know totally"?

The phrase "I know totally" is generally suitable for informal conversations with friends or family. However, it's best to avoid it in professional or academic settings where a more formal tone is expected.

What are some alternatives to "I know totally" for formal situations?

In formal situations, consider using alternatives such as "I completely understand", "I am fully aware", or "I acknowledge completely" to convey your understanding or agreement in a more professional manner.

Is "I know totally" grammatically correct?

While commonly used in casual speech, "I know totally" is not considered grammatically standard English. It's more of a colloquial expression. Consider using a more grammatically correct phrasing in formal settings.

How does "I know totally" differ from "I completely know"?

The phrase "I completely know" is a slightly more formal and emphatic way of expressing the same idea as "I know totally". Both phrases convey a sense of certainty or understanding, but "I completely know" may be perceived as more polished.