as totally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "as totally" is not standard in written English and may sound awkward or incorrect in many contexts.
It could be used in informal speech or writing to emphasize a degree of something, but it is generally better to avoid it in formal contexts. Example: "I agree with you as totally as I can."

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

"Not only be total fair, but be perceived as totally fair".

The New York Times

"Accept it as totally true.

The Guardian

He described tomorrow's referendum as "totally illegal".

The Guardian

Velgaard describes the proposal as "totally unattractive".

The Guardian

He described Clinton as "totally unhinged".

The Guardian

Feng described his education as "totally orthodox," "fundamentalist Marxism".

The New Yorker

I see it as totally different from stripping.

Independent

Mr. Bernal described that charge as "totally false".

The New York Times

His writings are not always accepted as totally reliable.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Mr. Reeker dismissed Mr. Mamedov's comments as "totally absurd".

The New York Times

Mr. Fleiss said: "He struck me as totally honest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider using more standard adverbs like "completely" or "entirely" to ensure clarity and avoid potential awkwardness in formal writing.

Common error

Avoid using "as totally" in academic or professional writing. Opt for more precise and widely accepted alternatives to maintain a polished and credible tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "as totally" functions primarily as an adverbial modifier, aiming to intensify the adjective or verb it accompanies. However, as Ludwig AI points out, it's not always considered standard English and can often be replaced with a single, stronger adverb for better clarity.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Encyclopedias

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "as totally" is used to emphasize the degree or extent of a quality, but it's not considered standard English and may sound awkward in formal contexts. Ludwig suggests opting for stronger, single-word adverbs like "completely" or "entirely" for improved clarity and professionalism. While it appears in various source types, including News & Media and Encyclopedias, it remains relatively rare. Therefore, writers should exercise caution and consider more conventional alternatives to avoid potential misunderstandings or negative perceptions. Its primary function is adverbial modification, yet its impact and clarity are frequently suboptimal compared to its readily available substitutes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely

Replaces "as totally" with a single adverb indicating full extent or degree. This is a more common and grammatically standard alternative.

entirely

Similar to "completely", "entirely" denotes a whole or undivided extent, often used interchangeably but can sound slightly more formal.

absolutely

Implies without any doubt or reservation, adding a stronger emphasis than "as totally".

utterly

Conveys a sense of completeness and is often used to emphasize a negative quality or state.

fully

Indicates the maximum extent or degree, similar to "completely" but can be used in different contexts.

wholly

A more formal synonym for "completely" or "entirely", suggesting a full or total extent.

altogether

Signifies a complete or total degree, often used when summing up or concluding.

in its entirety

This phrase expresses the completeness of something, usually for objects. It's more emphatic and suitable for formal writing.

to the fullest extent

Emphasizes the maximum possible degree or scope. It is more descriptive and formal than "as totally".

in every respect

Indicates that something is true or complete from all points of view, rather than just one.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the expression "as totally" to sound more formal?

For a more formal tone, replace "as totally" with alternatives like "completely", "entirely", or "wholly". These options provide greater clarity and are generally preferred in professional or academic writing.

Is "as totally" grammatically correct?

While not strictly incorrect, "as totally" can sound awkward in many contexts. It is often better to use a single, stronger adverb such as "absolutely" or "utterly" to convey a similar meaning.

What are some common synonyms for "as totally" in everyday conversation?

In casual conversation, you might use "completely" or "fully" instead of "as totally". These options are more natural and widely accepted.

How does the meaning of "as totally" differ from "as entirely"?

The phrases "as totally" and "as entirely" are very similar, both expressing a complete or full extent. However, "as entirely" might be perceived as slightly more formal or emphatic than "as totally" depending on the context.