I understand totally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "I understand totally" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to indicate that the speaker comprehends something completely or fully. Example: "After reading the instructions, I understand totally how to assemble the furniture."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Sports

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

10 human-written examples

Their argument is one I understand totally.

The Guardian

"I understand totally what he's going through," Sprewell said of the 33-year-old Rice.

The New York Times - Sports

I understand totally that the only standings that count are at the end of the year".

The New York Times - Sports

"Margaret Moran hasn't gone down because she went nuts, which I understand totally".

The Guardian

I understand totally there have to be changes made when we lose".

The New York Times - Sports

I mean, I understand totally what George thinks and what other people think about marriage being between a man and a woman.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

50 human-written examples

"I understand that totally.

The New York Times - Sports

I understand that "totally readable" is nothing less than subjective drivel, but what do you want?

TechCrunch

Our supporters are out there in numbers protesting, not happy with the situation, and I totally understand that, totally agree with that, and totally accept that.

The Guardian - Sport

So that's the reason a lot of people just go ahead and [commit suicide], and I totally understand that, totally.

AIDS and Behavior

I totally understand how he feels, I totally understand why he would say that, I totally get it.

Los Angeles Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "I understand totally" to convey strong agreement or comprehension, particularly in informal or conversational contexts.

Common error

While acceptable, "I understand totally" might sound less professional in formal documents. Consider alternatives like "I fully understand" or "I completely comprehend" for a more polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "I understand totally" functions as a declarative statement expressing complete comprehension or agreement. It is typically used to assure the speaker that their message has been fully received and processed, as shown by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Sports

33%

Formal & Business

17%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "I understand totally" is a grammatically sound expression used to convey complete comprehension or agreement. Ludwig confirms that it is a valid and usable phrase in written English. Although acceptable, it tends to be more informal than alternatives like "I fully understand" or "I completely understand". Ludwig's analysis of various sources shows that it appears most frequently in news media and sports contexts. Therefore, while perfectly acceptable in casual communication, writers should consider the audience and purpose when deciding whether to use "I understand totally" in formal writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

I completely understand

Emphasizes the completeness of understanding, similar to "totally".

I fully understand

Highlights the depth of comprehension.

I perfectly understand

Suggests an ideal or flawless comprehension.

I grasp it completely

Uses "grasp" to indicate understanding, with "completely" adding emphasis.

I get it completely

A more informal way to say "I understand completely".

I comprehend entirely

A more formal way to express complete understanding.

I appreciate that entirely

Shifts the focus to appreciating the situation or information, understood completely.

I am in full agreement

Expresses agreement based on complete understanding.

I am fully aware

Indicates a complete awareness of the situation or information.

That makes perfect sense to me

Expresses understanding by indicating that something is logical and clear.

FAQs

What does "I understand totally" mean?

The phrase "I understand totally" means that you completely comprehend something. It's a way of expressing full agreement or understanding.

Is "I understand totally" grammatically correct?

Yes, "I understand totally" is grammatically correct. However, its informal tone may not be suitable for all situations.

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

It is appropriate to use "I understand totally" in informal conversations, casual writing, and when you want to emphasize your complete comprehension. In formal settings, alternatives like "I fully understand" might be more suitable.

What are some alternatives to "I understand totally"?

You can use alternatives like "I completely understand", "I fully understand", or "I perfectly understand" depending on the context.