completely serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely serious" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize that someone is not joking or being sarcastic about a statement or situation. Example: "I want you to know that I am completely serious about this project and its importance to our future."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

He was completely serious.

The New York Times - Sports

She's also completely serious.

The Washington Post

I am being completely serious.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"Like, kike," she says, turning completely serious.

The New Yorker

But the endeavour is completely serious.

The Guardian

Or they were completely serious, but they knew it was funny.

The New Yorker

Imus, who loves to joke about Washington sex scandals, is completely serious about his charitable work.

The New Yorker

Sometimes these elaborations culminate in a result that is both completely serious and wonderfully dandified.

The New York Times - Arts

"I think the secret sauce is the haircut," he said, completely serious.

The New York Times - Style

A moment of silence passed that suggested he was completely serious.

The New York Times - Magazine

But I think, looking back on it, that he was completely serious.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely serious" to clearly indicate that you are not joking or being sarcastic, especially when the context might suggest otherwise.

Common error

Avoid using "completely serious" when the context already implies sincerity. Overusing it can make your writing sound repetitive or insincere. Instead, let the gravity of the situation speak for itself.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely serious" functions as an intensifier, modifying the adjective "serious" to emphasize the depth and genuineness of the statement. Ludwig confirms its correct usage, demonstrating that it is a standard way to express sincerity.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

15%

Science

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely serious" is a commonly used phrase to emphasize the sincerity and lack of jest in a statement. As Ludwig confirms, it's grammatically sound and versatile, appearing across diverse contexts, including news, academic writing, and even casual conversation. While alternatives like "totally serious" and "absolutely serious" exist, "completely serious" remains a reliable choice for clearly conveying your earnest intentions. Remember that while it is ok to use "completely serious" avoid redundancy in situations where sincerity is already evident from the context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally serious

Interchangeable with "completely serious", using "totally" as a synonym for "completely".

entirely serious

Emphasizes the full extent of seriousness, similar to "completely serious".

dead serious

An informal way to express absolute seriousness.

perfectly serious

Highlights the flawless and genuine nature of the seriousness.

absolutely serious

Reinforces the idea of seriousness without any doubt.

in earnest

Implies a sincere and intense state of mind.

no joke

An idiomatic expression indicating a serious matter.

without jest

Formal expression emphasizing the absence of humor.

in all seriousness

Highlights a shift to a grave and sincere tone.

sincere

A more concise way to express genuine feelings or intentions.

FAQs

How can I use "completely serious" in a sentence?

You can use "completely serious" to emphasize the sincerity of a statement. For example, "I want you to know I'm "completely serious" about this matter."

What are some alternatives to "completely serious"?

Alternatives include "totally serious", "entirely serious", or "absolutely serious", which all convey a similar level of sincerity.

Is it redundant to say "I'm completely serious"?

While it can be, using "I'm "completely serious"" can be helpful to remove any doubt about your intentions, particularly in situations where your statement might be misinterpreted as sarcasm or a joke.

What's the difference between "serious" and "completely serious"?

"Serious" indicates a state of earnestness, while ""completely serious"" emphasizes that there is no levity or joking involved at all; it amplifies the degree of sincerity.