an utterly different

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "an utterly different" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a significant difference between two things or concepts. Example: "The new policy is an utterly different approach compared to the previous one."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

Don Kaye of Blabbermouth.net felt the message of "Bother" did not differ from Slipknot tracks, but was "presented in an utterly different musical vein".

Wikipedia

It's an utterly different kind of concept.

The Guardian

Services are moving to an utterly different culture.

The Guardian

His life, of course, took an utterly different trajectory.

The New Yorker

Bureaucratic China, government China, is an utterly different matter.

The Guardian - Opinion

O'Hare is in an utterly different league of unpleasantness compared with Heathrow.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

A Mayan peasant in the forests of the Yucatán leads an existence utterly different from that of a successful lawyer in Toluca or a lower-middle-class worker in Monterrey.

Encyclopedia Britannica

When they come to Gastwerk, they are in an environment utterly different from where they normally work, wherever that may be.

The Guardian - Travel

But when customers got an agent utterly different from themselves, calls averaged nearly ten minutes and reached resolution only 47% of the time.

Forbes

And for Britons and other northern Europeans, the same picture offered glimpses of a place utterly different from their own and full of possibilities –a wide open road metaphorically as well as literally.

The Guardian - Music

In a letter to the jury published online this week, Littell ended with the hope that "my inability to join you today will be taken for what it is, an expression of our common love of literature... literature is a very private matter now [and] belongs to a sphere utterly different from the interaction of that work with those who read it, comment on it, praise it or damn it".

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "an utterly different" to strongly emphasize a contrast, especially when the distinction is key to your argument or description.

Common error

While versatile, using "an utterly different" in very casual conversations can sound stilted. Opt for simpler alternatives like "totally different" or "completely different" in informal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "an utterly different" functions as a pre-modifying adjective phrase that intensifies the noun it modifies, emphasizing the degree of difference. As Ludwig AI highlights, it's commonly used to express a significant distinction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Wiki

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Formal & Business

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "an utterly different" is a frequently used phrase to emphasize a notable contrast. According to Ludwig AI, its grammatical status is "correct". It is commonly found in news articles, encyclopedias and wiki pages, with a neutral register suitable for both formal and informal contexts. When using this phrase, remember it is used to strongly emphasize a contrast, and should be used with care in informal contexts where it may sound too formal. Alternatives include "a completely different" or "a totally different".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a completely different

Emphasizes the difference using "completely" instead of "utterly", slightly less formal.

an entirely different

Uses "entirely" to highlight the difference, similar in formality to "completely".

a totally different

Replaces "utterly" with "totally", making the phrase sound more informal.

a drastically different

Highlights the intensity of the difference, suggesting a more significant divergence.

a markedly different

Emphasizes the noticeable nature of the difference, suitable for formal contexts.

a substantially different

Highlights that the difference is significant in amount or degree.

a fundamentally different

Indicates that the difference affects the core or essence of something.

a radically different

Implies a dramatic and transformative level of difference.

a strikingly different

Highlights how unusual or unexpected the difference is.

a world apart

Uses a more figurative expression to indicate a vast difference.

FAQs

How can I use "an utterly different" in a sentence?

The phrase "an utterly different" is used to emphasize a strong contrast or distinction. For example, "The new policy represents "an utterly different" approach to healthcare."

What's a less formal alternative to "an utterly different"?

If you're aiming for a more casual tone, consider using alternatives like "a completely different" or "a totally different".

Is there a more emphatic way to express "an utterly different"?

To emphasize the contrast even further, try using "a radically different" or "a fundamentally different".

What's the difference between "an utterly different" and "a slightly different"?

"An utterly different" emphasizes a significant and substantial contrast, while "a slightly different" indicates only a minor or subtle distinction. The choice depends on the degree of difference you want to convey.