I totally understand

USAGE SUMMARY

"I totally understand" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are sympathetic to something another person has said or done. For example: "I know this was a difficult decision for you to make, but I totally understand."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

I totally understand that.

The New York Times

"I totally understand it.

The New York Times - Sports

"I totally understand.

The New York Times - Sports

I totally understand these people.

The New Yorker

So I totally understand them.

The New York Times - Sports

And I totally understand why.

The New Yorker

I totally understand Bill Frist.

The New York Times

And I totally understand that.

The New York Times

And part of it, I totally understand.

The New York Times

"I totally understand where they're coming from".

The New York Times - Sports

A character like Rocky I totally understand.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal or professional settings, consider using "I completely understand" or "I fully comprehend" for a more polished tone.

Common error

Avoid using "I totally understand" excessively in a conversation, as it can sound insincere or dismissive if not genuinely felt. Vary your responses with phrases like "I see your point" or "I appreciate that".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I totally understand" serves as an acknowledgment of comprehension and empathy. It indicates the speaker's ability to grasp the other person's perspective, situation, or feelings. According to Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

53%

Sports

15%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Science

4%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I totally understand" is a commonly used expression to convey empathy and comprehension. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and suitable for expressing sympathy. It's most frequently found in News & Media and sports contexts. While effective in informal and semi-formal settings, it's essential to be mindful of the setting and audience. In more formal contexts, alternatives like "I completely understand" or "I fully comprehend" are more appropriate. Overusing "I totally understand" can diminish its impact, so vary your responses to maintain sincerity. Overall, it's a powerful phrase for building rapport when used judiciously.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I completely understand

Replaces 'totally' with 'completely', offering a slightly more formal tone.

I fully comprehend

Uses 'comprehend' instead of 'understand', indicating a more thorough level of understanding and formality.

I get it

A shorter, more casual way to express understanding.

I see what you mean

Indicates understanding of the speaker's perspective or point.

I appreciate that

Expresses understanding coupled with gratitude or acknowledgment.

That makes sense to me

Indicates that something is logical and understandable from the speaker's perspective.

I'm with you on that

Shows agreement and understanding, implying shared sentiment.

I'm aware of that

Highlights a pre-existing understanding of the situation or topic.

I recognize that

Acknowledges and understands a situation or feeling, often with empathy.

I empathize with that

Explicitly conveys empathy and understanding towards someone's feelings or situation.

FAQs

What does "I totally understand" mean?

The phrase "I totally understand" expresses complete comprehension and empathy towards a statement, situation, or feeling. It indicates that you not only hear but also deeply grasp what someone is conveying.

When is it appropriate to say "I totally understand"?

It is appropriate to say "I totally understand" when someone is sharing a problem, expressing a feeling, or explaining a situation, and you genuinely comprehend their perspective. It's suitable for informal and semi-formal contexts.

What can I say instead of "I totally understand"?

You can use alternatives like "I completely understand", "I fully comprehend", "I get it", or "I see what you mean" depending on the context and the level of formality desired.

Is "I totally understand" formal or informal?

"I totally understand" leans towards being informal but can be used in many semi-formal situations. For more formal settings, phrases like "I completely understand" or "I fully comprehend" might be more suitable.