completely and totally

USAGE SUMMARY

"completely and totally" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is usually used for emphasis and can be used to talk about any subject. For example: "I am completely and totally in love with this song!".

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

57 human-written examples

They are completely and totally closing.

The New Yorker

It is completely and totally untrue.

The Guardian

So in that regard, I was completely and totally surprised.

The New York Times

We stand completely and totally behind our president".

The New York Times

"Of course, Howard Stringer is completely and totally exempt".

The New York Times

"I've always been completely and totally honest," she said.

The Guardian

I became totally involved in them, completely and totally involved.

The Guardian - Music

"I am completely and totally devastated," Dawber said in a statement.

Independent

"You're going to have a lot of fun — he completely and totally likes you," Milonas added.

The New Yorker

"I am completely and totally open to a new mutual understanding on the vision," he said.

The New York Times

Judge McMahon said the conversation was "utterly, completely and totally inadmissible".

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely and totally" to add emphasis when expressing agreement, support, or describing a state of being. It is particularly effective in informal and news contexts for conveying strong feelings or viewpoints.

Common error

Avoid using "completely and totally" in formal academic or business writing where a more concise and professional tone is preferred. Consider alternatives like "entirely" or "fully" for greater suitability.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely and totally" functions as an intensifier, used to emphasize the degree or extent of something. Ludwig shows that it is frequently employed to reinforce assertions or express strong agreement.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

88%

Wiki

6%

Formal & Business

3%

Less common in

Science

1%

Encyclopedias

1%

Social Media

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely and totally" is a common phrase used for emphasis, primarily in news and media contexts. As indicated by Ludwig, it functions as an intensifier, conveying a strong degree of certainty or agreement. While grammatically correct, it may be less appropriate in formal academic or business writing, where more concise alternatives are preferred. To ensure clarity and appropriateness, consider the context and desired tone when using "completely and totally". Other options like ""completely and utterly"" may be appropriate based on the specific usage situation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely and utterly

Replaces "totally" with "utterly", maintaining the emphasis on thoroughness.

entirely and wholly

Uses "entirely" and "wholly" to convey a sense of completeness.

fully and completely

Reorders the original words while preserving the meaning.

absolutely and completely

Substitutes "totally" with "absolutely" for similar emphasis.

without any reservation

Expresses complete agreement or support, differing in structure.

in every respect

Indicates thoroughness from all perspectives, a slight shift in focus.

through and through

Emphasizes inherent or fundamental completeness, more figurative.

from top to bottom

Indicates a comprehensive examination or coverage.

all the way

Implies full commitment or extent, less formal.

one hundred percent

Expresses complete agreement or certainty numerically.

FAQs

How can I use "completely and totally" in a sentence?

You can use "completely and totally" to emphasize a statement or express strong agreement. For example, "I am "completely and totally" in agreement with your proposal."

What are some alternatives to "completely and totally"?

Alternatives include "completely and utterly", "entirely and wholly", or "absolutely and completely". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired tone.

Is it redundant to say "completely and totally"?

While both words convey a sense of completeness, using them together amplifies the emphasis. Whether it's redundant depends on the context; in some cases, the added emphasis is appropriate, while in others, a single word like "completely" may suffice.

Which is more formal, "completely" or "completely and totally"?

"Completely" is generally more formal. "Completely and totally" adds emphasis and is often used in less formal contexts, such as news reporting or casual conversation.