completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "completely" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the extent to which something is true or to emphasize that something is true in every way. For example, “I am completely satisfied with the outcome of this project.”.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

I now regret it completely.

The New York Times

"Mo's training was completely chaotic before Alberto took over.

The Guardian - Sport

I understood completely.

The New York Times

"I'm completely lost.

The New York Times

I was completely wrong.

The New York Times - Arts

Catherine West, who beat Lynne Featherstone in the Red Wedding of the Lib Dem's election, creates a completely different atmosphere, but it's also one of infinite possibility.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It got worse: "There were two men who were particularly rude and completely dismissive of what I did".

The Guardian

He fled Paris on a bicycle during the Nazi Occupation and, after a stint in the French Resistance, later found himself by chance serving as an air force photographer in France's Indo-China war in the early 1950s, travelling through Vietnam and then Cambodia, completely self-taught.

The Guardian - Arts

Within years of his death he was almost completely forgotten.

The Guardian - Arts

And how does hunting now compare to the way it used to be? "Completely different".

The Guardian

"He's said from the start that he wants to co-operate completely with the royal commission and I'd expect that to continue," Fisher said.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely" to add emphasis to your statements. For instance, instead of saying 'I agree', you could say 'I completely agree' to show strong agreement.

Common error

While "completely" is useful for emphasis, avoid overusing it, as it can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms like "totally", "entirely", or "fully" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The word "completely" functions primarily as an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to intensify their meaning. As supported by Ludwig AI, it serves to emphasize the extent to which something is true or has been accomplished.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "completely" serves to emphasize the totality or full extent of an action, state, or quality. As affirmed by Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and adds significant emphasis when used judiciously. While "completely" is versatile and common, it's advisable to vary vocabulary with synonyms like "totally", "entirely", or "fully" to avoid redundancy. The frequency analysis shows it's especially prevalent in "News & Media". Therefore, writers can confidently use "completely", bearing in mind its function and potential for overuse to maintain clarity and engagement.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Totally

A direct synonym, implying a state of being entire or absolute.

Entirely

Similar to 'totally', but can also emphasize exclusivity or being without exception.

Fully

Implies that something is done to its maximum potential or extent.

Utterly

Emphasizes the completeness of something, often with a negative connotation.

Absolutely

Highlights a lack of doubt or condition, making something unequivocally true.

Wholly

Stresses that something is made up entirely of a particular element or aspect.

Altogether

Focuses on a collective or aggregate sense of completeness.

Perfectly

Highlights a state of being without flaw, thereby being "completely" suitable.

In every respect

Emphasizes completeness across all facets or perspectives.

From start to finish

Highlights that an activity or process has been entirely executed, from beginning to end.

FAQs

How can I use "completely" in a sentence?

Use "completely" to emphasize the extent to which something is true or has happened. For example, "I am "completely satisfied" with the results", or "The project was "completely finished"".

What words are similar to "completely"?

Synonyms for "completely" include "totally", "entirely", "fully", "utterly", and "absolutely". Choose the word that best fits the nuance you want to convey.

Is it always necessary to use "completely" for emphasis?

No, using "completely" is not always necessary. While it can add emphasis, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Consider the context and whether the emphasis is truly needed. Sometimes, the verb or adjective alone is sufficient.

How does the use of "completely" change the meaning of a sentence?

Using "completely" intensifies the meaning of the word it modifies. For example, "I understand" implies a general comprehension, while "I "completely understand"" suggests a full and thorough grasp of the subject.