but totally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "but totally" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a contrasting statement or to express complete agreement with a previous point in a casual or informal context. Example: "I thought the movie was going to be boring, but totally, it turned out to be one of the best films I've seen this year."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

But totally get it.

The Washington Post

Opulent but totally misjudged".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Disturbing, but totally appropriate.

The Guardian - Travel

But totally wrong.

The New Yorker

"But totally ridiculous," she agrees.

The Guardian

not only thin, but totally undefined..

Cornell University

"He's charming but totally controlling.

The New York Times - Magazine

Her mother was distressed but totally unsympathetic.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

3 human-written examples

One of those shouldn't-work-but-totally-does combinations.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

But not totally.

The New York Times - Sports

But Marvin totally, totally changed.

The Guardian - Music

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "but totally", be mindful of your audience. It may not be suitable for formal or professional contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "but totally" in academic papers or professional reports. Opt for more formal alternatives like "however completely" or "nevertheless fully" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "but totally" functions primarily as a conjunction phrase, connecting two contrasting ideas while adding emphasis to the latter. This is supported by Ludwig AI, which indicates that the phrase is grammatically correct and usable. It serves to either express agreement or highlight a contrasting point.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

97%

Science

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "but totally" is a grammatically correct and frequently used expression that functions as a conjunction phrase to express strong agreement or to emphasize a contrasting point. As supported by Ludwig, it's most commonly found in informal contexts, particularly in news and media. While versatile, it is best to avoid using "but totally" in formal or academic writing, instead opting for phrases like "however completely" or "nevertheless fully". Remember to use "but totally" to add emphasis and a casual tone to your writing, but be mindful of your audience and the context of your communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

but completely

Replaces "totally" with "completely", which offers a slightly more formal tone while retaining the original meaning.

but absolutely

Replaces "totally" with "absolutely" for stronger emphasis while keeping the structure intact.

however completely

Replaces "but" with "however" and "totally" with "completely" offering a more formal tone.

although absolutely

Uses "although" instead of "but" and "absolutely" in place of "totally", creating a stronger emphasis.

yet entirely

Substitutes "but" with "yet" and "totally" with "entirely", resulting in a slightly more literary feel.

though utterly

Replaces "but" with "though" and "totally" with "utterly", giving a more emphatic and slightly dramatic tone.

nevertheless fully

Substitutes "but" with "nevertheless" and "totally" with "fully", resulting in a more formal and emphatic expression.

yet still

Uses "yet" to introduce the contrast and replaces "totally" with "still", which is a simpler construction.

however actually

Replaces "but" with "however" and "totally" with "actually", creating a more factual and less emphatic tone.

even so completely

Replaces "but" with "even so" to indicate contrast and "totally" with "completely" for clarity.

FAQs

How can I use "but totally" in a sentence?

You can use "but totally" to emphasize a contrast or to show strong agreement. For example, "I thought it would be difficult, but totally manageable" or "That's a great idea, but totally unexpected".

What phrases are similar to "but totally"?

Similar phrases include "but absolutely", "but completely", and "however completely". These alternatives offer similar meanings with slight variations in formality.

Is "but totally" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "but totally" is generally more suited for informal contexts. In formal writing, consider alternatives such as "nevertheless fully" or "however entirely" for a more professional tone.

What's the difference between "but totally" and "but completely"?

The phrases "but totally" and "but completely" are very similar in meaning. However, "but totally" has a slightly more casual and emphatic feel, while "but completely" sounds slightly more formal and precise.