completely only

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely only" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not typically used in standard English, as the combination of "completely" and "only" can create confusion regarding the intended emphasis. Example: "I want you to completely only focus on the task at hand." (This sentence is awkward and unclear.)

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

31 human-written examples

When the net is finally pulled out completely, only a few dozen fish have been caught.

The Guardian

And, if American diplomacy fails completely, only bad options will be left.

The Economist

"If you are quoting us as Greenwich residents," Simon Moss said, "I think it should be completely, only Greenwich.

The New York Times

This is poetry for the stage, not the page, and it exists completely only in the moment it is being performed.

The New York Times

Lake Eyre is normally dry; it fills completely only an average of twice in a century, but partial, minor fillings happen much more often.

Encyclopedia Britannica

By 1576 the tribes managed to sack the town and force the Spanish out completely, only for the conquistadors to return the next year with new settlers, soldiers and material for a new fort of San Marcos.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

28 human-written examples

"This shows that Norway stands completely alone internationally, only being joined by Turkey.

The Guardian

I changed it completely and only left the original staircase.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The house was bought and completely remodeled only a year ago, said Sara's father, Mark.

The Guardian

Merrill panicked completely, and only thought about how he could get away.

The New Yorker

No, the irony is that John, who normally gets things completely right, only gets it half right this time.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for clarity, replace the phrase "completely only" with a single word such as "exclusively" or "solely" to streamline your writing. For example, instead of "degraded completely only in 2 weeks", try "degraded exclusively in 2 weeks".

Common error

Avoid using "completely only" because "completely" suggests totality, while "only" suggests limitation. The combination creates a redundant and confusing emphasis. Choose one or the other to maintain clarity. Using both can make your writing sound awkward and less professional.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely only" functions as an adverbial modifier, attempting to restrict or specify the extent of a preceding action or state. However, this usage is grammatically questionable as noted by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

33%

Science

46%

Wiki

4%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely only" attempts to combine the concepts of thoroughness and exclusivity. However, Ludwig AI flags it as not conveying a clear meaning in written English due to its grammatical awkwardness. While it appears across diverse sources such as News & Media and scientific articles, its usage can be improved by opting for single-word alternatives like "exclusively" or "solely". These provide greater clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully and exclusively

Combines the emphasis on completeness with exclusivity.

completely and nothing else

More verbose, but clearly expresses the idea of completeness and exclusion.

absolutely exclusively

Strengthens the sense of exclusivity using "absolutely".

exclusively

This single word directly replaces the phrase and emphasizes exclusivity.

solely

Another single-word replacement that highlights that something is the single or only thing involved.

wholly and uniquely

Highlights both the completeness and the unique nature of something.

thoroughly and singularly

This alternative stresses the exhaustiveness and the uniqueness of an action or state.

entirely

Emphasizes the completeness of an action or state, avoiding the restrictive implication of "only".

purely

Suggests that something is done or considered from one perspective alone.

just

Indicates limitation to one specific aspect or item, but is generally less formal.

FAQs

How can I rephrase the expression "completely only" for better clarity?

To improve clarity, you can replace "completely only" with alternatives like "exclusively", "solely", or "entirely" depending on the intended meaning.

Is there a situation where the phrase "completely only" is grammatically correct?

While instances of "completely only" appear in various texts, it's generally considered grammatically awkward. Using clearer, more precise wording is advisable for improved readability and professional tone.

What is the difference between using "completely" and "completely only"?

"Completely" signifies that something is whole or entire, whereas "completely only" attempts to add a sense of exclusivity to the completeness, which is often redundant and unclear. It's better to use phrases that clearly convey exclusivity, such as "just" or "purely".

What are some common words that can replace "completely only" in a sentence?

Alternatives to "completely only" include "exclusively", "solely", "entirely", or "purely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.