Not totally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Not totally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express that something is not completely or entirely the case, often implying a partial agreement or acknowledgment. Example: "I agree with your point, but not totally; there are some aspects I think we should reconsider."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Not totally".

The Guardian

Not totally, at least.

The New York Times - Arts

Not totally surprised.

The New York Times

Not totally selfie-ready.

The Guardian - Opinion

'Not totally.' You never quit?

The Guardian - Film

"Not totally," he told Garver.

The New Yorker

Not Totally Bottoms-Up.

Forbes

Not totally deaf, not totally hearing.

Huffington Post

Not totally somewhere, not totally nowhere.

Vice

But not totally.

The New York Times - Sports

It's not totally redonkulous.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "not totally" to express a nuanced perspective, acknowledging partial truth or agreement while leaving room for further clarification or disagreement.

Common error

Avoid using "not totally" excessively in a single piece of writing, as it can make your prose sound hesitant or lacking in conviction. Vary your language with stronger affirmations or negations where appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Not totally" functions as an adverbial phrase that modifies a statement. As Ludwig AI shows, it expresses partial negation or agreement, indicating that something is not completely or entirely the case. This phrase often introduces a degree of nuance or qualification to a preceding or following statement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "Not totally" is a versatile adverbial phrase used to express partial negation or agreement. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it's a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, primarily appearing in news and media contexts. It serves the communicative purpose of introducing nuance and qualification to statements, allowing for a balanced perspective. While appropriate for neutral registers, it's essential to avoid overuse and to vary language for stronger affirmations or negations when necessary. By understanding its function and purpose, writers can effectively employ "not totally" to convey precise and thoughtful perspectives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Not completely

Replaces "totally" with "completely", maintaining a very similar meaning and level of formality.

Not entirely

Substitutes "totally" with "entirely", offering a near-identical nuance of partial negation.

Not altogether

A slightly more formal alternative, indicating that something is not fully the case.

Not fully

Emphasizes that something is not in a complete or finished state.

Partially

Offers a more concise way to express that something is only partly true or accurate.

Not quite

Suggests that something is close to being true, but falls short of the mark.

In part

Similar to "partially", but can emphasize a specific aspect being considered.

To some extent

Indicates that something is true or applicable only within certain limits.

Up to a point

Implies agreement or validity only within certain boundaries or conditions.

Not in every respect

Highlights that while something might be generally true, there are exceptions or caveats.

FAQs

How can I use "Not totally" in a sentence?

"Not totally" is typically used to express partial agreement or to indicate that something is not completely true. For example: "I agree with your assessment, but "not totally" because I think there are some exceptions."

What can I say instead of "Not totally"?

You can use alternatives like "not completely", "not entirely", or "partially" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "Not totally" or "Not entirely"?

Both "Not totally" and "Not entirely" are grammatically correct and have similar meanings. The choice between them often comes down to personal preference or the specific context. "Not entirely" might be perceived as slightly more formal.

What's the difference between "Not totally" and "Not exactly"?

"Not totally" suggests something is partially true or correct, while "Not exactly" usually implies that something is incorrect or inaccurate. For example, saying "That's not totally right" means it's partially correct, but saying "That's not exactly right" indicates it's wrong.