completely stuck

USAGE SUMMARY

"completely stuck" is a grammatically correct phrase and can be used in written English.
It is used to describe a situation or feeling of being unable to move forward or make progress. Example: "After hours of trying to solve the math problem, I was completely stuck."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

45 human-written examples

'Come help me … I am completely stuck,' I said.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

completely stuck and couldn&apos t move forward or astern.

The New York Times - Books

I was completely stuck and it was a horrible feeling.

The Guardian - Sport

I do it even if I get completely stuck".

The Guardian - Books

I felt completely stuck until she got another job".

The Guardian - Money

Working with a single data point, we are completely stuck". That single data point is us.

Columbia University

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

15 human-written examples

I never completely stick to recipes: I prefer to throw in random ingredients to make things different.

The Guardian - Money

A B16F10 mouse melanoma cell suspension was poured into a 96-well plate (10 cells/well), and cells were allowed to completely stick to each other overnight.

BioMed Research International

Helping your sibling with assignments should not mean you leave your work and completely stick to him/her.

WikiHow

But understanding the importance of a job being completely done stuck in my mind.

The New York Times

The American military, of course, was keen to make sure that the Soviets and other foreigners were kept far from the bombs themselves, and indeed they were completely isolated, stuck on a ship for weeks and denied even press releases.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To make the phrase more vivid, consider adding details about the situation that causes the feeling of being "completely stuck".

Common error

While "completely stuck" is acceptable in many contexts, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Use synonyms like "deadlocked", "immobilized", or "stalled" to vary your language and maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely stuck" functions as an adverb-adjective combination modifying a subject's state. It indicates a state of being entirely unable to progress or move forward. Ludwig provides examples where it describes being unable to solve a puzzle, a vehicle trapped in mud, or a person feeling paralyzed.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

39%

Wiki

27%

Academia

8%

Less common in

Science

8%

Formal & Business

8%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely stuck" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a state of total immobility or inability to progress. As Ludwig AI highlights, it is frequently found in News & Media and Wiki contexts, indicating its general applicability. While "completely stuck" is widely understood, varying your language with synonyms like "totally trapped", "utterly immobilized", or "absolutely deadlocked" can enhance your writing. Remember to use it appropriately in both formal and informal settings, understanding the nuances each alternative phrase brings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

well and truly stuck

Adds emphasis to the state of being stuck, suggesting it is undeniable.

totally trapped

Emphasizes the feeling of being unable to escape a situation.

utterly immobilized

Highlights a complete lack of physical or metaphorical movement.

absolutely deadlocked

Suggests a situation where progress is impossible due to opposing forces.

entirely marooned

Implies being isolated and unable to leave a place or situation.

hopelessly entangled

Focuses on the complexity and difficulty of escaping a problematic situation.

firmly ensnared

Highlights being caught in something from which escape is difficult.

irretrievably bogged down

Emphasizes being stuck in a difficult or unpleasant situation with no easy solution.

definitively cornered

Suggests being in a situation with no way out, often implying threat or pressure.

thoroughly mired

Highlights the difficult and unpleasant nature of the situation.

FAQs

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

You can use "completely stuck" to describe situations where progress is impossible, such as "I was "completely stuck" on this math problem for hours" or "The car was "completely stuck" in the mud".

What can I say instead of "completely stuck"?

Alternatives include "totally trapped", "utterly immobilized", or "absolutely deadlocked" depending on the specific context.

Is it more formal to say "utterly immobilized" instead of "completely stuck"?

Yes, "utterly immobilized" is generally considered more formal and suitable for professional or academic writing, while "completely stuck" is appropriate for more informal settings.

When should I use "completely stuck" versus "partially stuck"?

"Completely stuck" indicates a total inability to move or progress, whereas "partially stuck" suggests some limited movement or progress is still possible.