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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak quote

Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

MitStanfordHarvardAustralian Nationa UniversityNanyangOxford

complete and utter crap

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "complete and utter crap" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong disapproval or disdain for something, often in informal contexts. Example: "After watching the movie, I can confidently say it was complete and utter crap."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

Complete and utter crap, of course.

Their file system is complete and utter crap, which is scary".

News & Media

TechCrunch

Their "checks" and "reports" are usually nothing more that complete and utter crap.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

But that doesn't mean it's not complete and utter bullshit too.

News & Media

TechCrunch

Intrigued, we looked a little deeper and found to to be complete and utter bullshit.

News & Media

Vice

In my humble opinion, the results of this contest are complete and utter bullshit.

News & Media

Vice

That's absolute and utter crap because I never heard anybody shout.

It's complete crap, and you should put it in a drawer and forget it.' I was furious.

News & Media

The New Yorker

And so, my life is complete crap from here on in.

News & Media

Huffington Post

It was complete crap".

That's complete crap.

Show more...

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase, ensure that the context clearly warrants such a strong negative assessment. Avoid using it gratuitously or without justification.

Common error

Avoid using "complete and utter crap" too frequently, as it can diminish its impact and make your writing seem overly negative or immature. Vary your language to express disapproval in more nuanced ways.

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

89%

Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "complete and utter crap" functions as an emphatic interjection or predicative adjective used to express strong disapproval or disgust. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's a valid, though informal, way to convey that something is considered worthless or nonsensical.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "complete and utter crap" is an informal expression used to convey strong disapproval or disdain. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's grammatically correct, though its usage is best suited for informal settings due to the vulgar nature of the word "crap". While alternatives like "total garbage" or "utter rubbish" exist, the original phrase carries a particular emphasis. Predominantly found in News & Media, it's essential to use this phrase judiciously, considering your audience and the context to avoid causing offense or appearing unprofessional.

FAQs

What does "complete and utter crap" mean?

The phrase "complete and utter crap" is an emphatic way of saying that something is entirely worthless, nonsensical, or of very poor quality. It's a strong expression of disapproval.

When is it appropriate to use "complete and utter crap"?

It's appropriate to use "complete and utter crap" in informal settings when you want to strongly express your negative opinion about something. However, avoid using it in formal or professional contexts where such language would be considered inappropriate.

What are some alternatives to "complete and utter crap"?

You can use alternatives like "total garbage", "utter rubbish", or "absolute nonsense" to convey a similar meaning with varying degrees of intensity.

Is "complete and utter crap" grammatically correct?

Yes, "complete and utter crap" is grammatically correct, although it's an informal and somewhat vulgar expression. The structure "complete and utter" is used for emphasis.

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Source & Trust

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Authority and reliability

4.1/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: