absolutely and utterly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely and utterly" is a perfectly valid and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it any time you are trying to emphasize an action, opinion, or feeling. For example: "I absolutely and utterly disagree with your assessment."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

26 human-written examples

But because they absolutely and utterly don't.

The Guardian - Music

It must have been absolutely and utterly awful".

The New York Times

It must have been absolutely and utterly awful," Steenkamp said.

The Guardian

That said, I would never dream of suggesting that Wagner's operas should be detached absolutely and utterly from politics.

The New Yorker

Asada boss Ben McDevitt said: "What happened at Essendon in 2012 was, in my opinion, absolutely and utterly disgraceful.

The Guardian - Sport

3) However, these indoor sports might be something that you have absolutely and utterly no interest in.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

We don't even care if you read the books and knew this was coming -- the Red Wedding, expected or not, was absolutely, utterly and unforgettably devastating.

Huffington Post

Extremely, utterly and bafflingly.

The Guardian - Film

It is absolutely untrue, an absolute falsehood and utterly misleading.

The Guardian - Business

"My father was as utterly incapable of leaving any woman alone as he was utterly, absolutely and irremediably incapable of turning down any offer of food or drink or cigarettes".

The New York Times - Books

Speaking of Smith, she said: "He's just an absolute genuine joy, he's been absolutely so supportive and totally and utterly there for me and he's a really good friend".

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely and utterly" when you want to strongly emphasize a point or express complete agreement or disagreement. Be mindful of the context to ensure the intensity of the phrase is appropriate.

Common error

While "absolutely and utterly" is acceptable in many situations, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing where a more nuanced or specific term might be preferable. Consider alternatives like "completely" or "entirely" for a subtler emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely and utterly" functions as an intensifier, modifying a verb, adjective, or adverb to add emphasis. As Ludwig AI explains, it stresses the action, opinion, or feeling being expressed. Examples in Ludwig show it used to describe feelings (e.g., "absolutely and utterly awful") or to strongly assert opinions (e.g., "absolutely and utterly disgraceful").

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "absolutely and utterly" is a valid and commonly used expression in English to add emphasis, as Ludwig AI confirms. Grammatically correct and primarily functioning as an intensifier, it is most frequently found in News & Media contexts, with some presence in Scientific and Wiki sources. While generally considered neutral in register, its strong emphasis may make it less suitable for highly formal writing. If a more specific term is required, alternatives such as "completely and totally" or "entirely and completely" may be considered. When using "absolutely and utterly", make sure you intend a strong statement and you are not in a too formal context. Keep in mind that overusing this phrase can diminish its impact. The authoritative sources showcasing this phrase include The Guardian and The New York Times.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely and totally

Replaces "utterly" with "totally", maintaining a similar level of emphasis but using a slightly more common expression.

entirely and completely

Swaps "absolutely" for "entirely" and "utterly" for "completely", providing a synonymous alternative with a different flow.

wholly and completely

Uses "wholly" and "completely" to create a more formal-sounding equivalent, retaining the emphasis on completeness.

absolutely without a doubt

Adds "without a doubt" to emphasize certainty, expanding the phrase while keeping the core meaning.

totally and unequivocally

Employs "unequivocally" for a more forceful and unambiguous declaration, differing slightly in tone.

categorically and definitively

Introduces a sense of finality and decisiveness, altering the nuance to emphasize a lack of ambiguity.

without any reservation

Shifts from direct emphasis to expressing a lack of doubt or hesitation, providing an indirect way to convey completeness.

in every respect

Focuses on the all-encompassing nature of the statement, differing in structure but conveying a similar sense of totality.

thoroughly and comprehensively

Highlights the exhaustive and detailed nature of something, subtly changing the emphasis from absolute certainty to complete coverage.

positively and assuredly

Implies confidence and certainty, offering a less direct but still emphatic alternative.

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely and utterly" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely and utterly" to emphasize a feeling, opinion, or action. For example, "I "absolutely and utterly disagree" with that statement" or "She was "absolutely and utterly devastated" by the news".

What are some alternatives to "absolutely and utterly"?

Alternatives include "completely and totally", "entirely and completely", or "wholly and completely", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "absolutely and utterly" considered formal or informal?

"Absolutely and utterly" is generally considered neutral but can lean towards informal due to its emphatic nature. It's suitable for news articles and general communication, but might be less appropriate in highly formal academic papers.

When should I avoid using "absolutely and utterly"?

Avoid using "absolutely and utterly" when a more precise or nuanced word choice would better serve your purpose, especially in formal writing. Consider whether the strong emphasis is truly necessary for the context.