Totally surreal

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Totally surreal" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it to describe experiences or situations that feel dreamlike or unreal. An example could be: "The entire event felt totally surreal, as if I were in a movie." Alternative expressions include "completely bizarre" and "utterly unreal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Film

Opinion

Arts

Books

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

"It was totally surreal.

Independent

"It is totally surreal.

The Guardian

It felt totally surreal.

The New York Times

It's totally surreal.

The Guardian - Film

"The entire experience was totally surreal.

The New York Times

"It's been totally surreal, for a long time.

The Guardian - Film

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"Completely surreal".

The New York Times - Arts

Theme parks are totally artificial; surreal and puzzling places where gravity is defied and time stands still, where unnatural landscapes sprout bizarre buildings.

Independent

"It just felt surreal, totally like a dream, when it first happened," says Jeff. "You think, is it real?" As the flood water rose up their garden early this year, Jeff and his wife Tracy watched in disbelief.

The Guardian

It was a surreal and totally exasperating experience". "I didn't have residency status when I gave birth to my first three children.

Columbia University

So I was totally unprepared for a surreal experience that taxed my impartiality: the portrayal of Sam Roberts in "The Brother".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing creatively, especially in fiction or descriptive prose, "Totally surreal" can effectively convey a sense of disorientation or heightened reality, drawing the reader into the experience.

Common error

Avoid using "Totally surreal" in formal academic or business writing. Opt for more precise and objective language that accurately describes the situation without relying on subjective feelings. Use "unexpected" or "unconventional" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "Totally surreal" functions as an intensifier (totally) modifying an adjective (surreal). It describes something that feels beyond reality, dreamlike, or bizarre. Ludwig examples show its common usage in describing personal experiences or reactions to events.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Film

15%

Opinion

5%

Less common in

Arts

3%

Books

3%

Academia

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the expression "Totally surreal" serves to depict circumstances that defy logic, akin to a dreamlike state, particularly when one is highlighting one's sentiments or reactions towards an occurrence. As Ludwig AI underlines, this grammatically sound expression commonly graces journalistic pieces, film critiques, and personal anecdotes. Though its formality might not be suited for academic or business settings, where precision is preferred, several related phrases exist, like "completely dreamlike", should a more objective tone be required.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely dreamlike

Replaces "surreal" with "dreamlike", emphasizing the resemblance to a dream.

Utterly unreal

Uses "unreal" instead of "surreal", highlighting the lack of reality.

Absolutely bizarre

Shifts the focus to the strangeness and oddity of the situation.

Incredibly strange

Emphasizes the unusual and peculiar nature of the experience.

Like a waking dream

Compares the experience to being in a dream while awake.

Beyond belief

Highlights the incredibility and difficulty in accepting the reality.

Hard to believe

Focuses on the difficulty in accepting something as real or true.

Almost hallucinatory

Suggests a resemblance to a hallucination, implying a distorted perception of reality.

Unbelievably odd

Combines disbelief with the sense of something being peculiar and strange.

Surreal and disorienting

Expands on "surreal" by adding the feeling of being lost and confused.

FAQs

How can I use "Totally surreal" in a sentence?

You can use "Totally surreal" to describe experiences that feel dreamlike or unreal, like: "The entire event felt "totally surreal", as if I were in a movie".

What's a more formal alternative to "Totally surreal"?

In formal contexts, consider using alternatives like "highly unconventional" or "extremely unexpected" to maintain a professional tone.

Is "Totally surreal" appropriate for academic writing?

While grammatically correct, "Totally surreal" is generally too informal for academic writing. Strive for more objective and precise language to describe the subject matter.

Which is more appropriate, "Totally surreal" or "Completely surreal"?

Both "Totally surreal" and "Completely surreal" are acceptable and convey similar meanings. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the specific rhythm of the sentence. However, "completely dreamlike" it's more used in formal settings.