completely the reverse

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely the reverse" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is entirely opposite to what was previously stated or expected. Example: "The results of the experiment were completely the reverse of what we anticipated."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

6 human-written examples

"Nowadays it's completely the reverse.

Independent

The view from the James family is completely the reverse.

The New York Times - Sports

Robina Niaz, executive director of the Muslim social service group Turning Point for Women and Families, said his position in the Almontaser case "was totally the opposite, completely the reverse of this".

The New York Times

Amazon's strategy is completely the reverse from Apple's.

TechCrunch

"It is completely the reverse of the U.S".

Forbes

Our findings were completely the reverse.

BMJ Open

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

54 human-written examples

Mr. Russell, acting on his training, ordered "full astern": the signal for his crew to completely engage the reverse thrust.

The New York Times

A hundred boys and Pony Hütchen overcome the badness, completely reversing the stereotype of the city in children's books of the time".

The Guardian - Books

Inclusion of AMA1 antigen in the GIA completely reversed the inhibition seen (data not shown), establishing the specificity of the biological activity.

Plosone

Some believe it will decentralise the business completely, reversing the urbanisation that accompanies industrialisation.

The Economist

The constitution completely reversed the concept widely held in Mexico that government should take only a limited, passive role.

Britannica

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely the reverse" to clearly emphasize a situation or outcome that is the direct opposite of what was expected or previously stated. This phrase is effective when you want to highlight a significant contrast.

Common error

Avoid using "completely the reverse" too frequently in your writing, as it can become repetitive. Instead, vary your language by using synonyms or more descriptive phrases to express opposition or reversal.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely the reverse" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the degree to which something is opposite. It often modifies a verb or a clause, as shown by Ludwig AI's analysis. The examples in Ludwig further illustrate its use in contrasting situations.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Science

33%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "completely the reverse" is a grammatically correct and understandable expression used to indicate a total opposition or reversal. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It is more commonly found in news and media and scientific contexts. While not overly frequent, it serves an important function in emphasizing contrasts. When using the phrase, writers should be mindful of not overusing it and consider alternative expressions to maintain writing style. Understanding the context and the degree of opposition you wish to convey is key to effectively using "completely the reverse".

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely the opposite

Emphasizes the complete difference between two things.

totally reversed

Highlights the action of reversing something completely.

the direct opposite

Focuses on the opposing nature of something.

quite the contrary

Used to negate a previous statement and introduce the opposite.

diametrically opposed

Highlights a complete opposition on a particular axis.

the very antithesis

A more formal way of expressing complete opposition.

in stark contrast

Highlights a significant difference between two things.

a complete turnaround

Emphasizes a change from one state to its opposite.

the flip side

Informal way to describe the opposite aspect of something.

poles apart

Suggests extreme difference or opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "completely the reverse" in a sentence?

Use "completely the reverse" to indicate a situation or result that is the direct opposite of what was previously mentioned or expected. For example, "The outcome of the experiment was "completely the reverse" of our initial hypothesis".

What phrases are similar to "completely the reverse"?

Similar phrases include "entirely the opposite", "totally reversed", or "the direct opposite". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you wish to convey.

Is it more formal to say "completely the reverse" or "entirely the opposite"?

"Entirely the opposite" and "completely the reverse" are both suitable for formal and informal contexts. However, phrases like "the very antithesis" are more formal.

Can "completely the reverse" be used in all contexts?

While "completely the reverse" is generally versatile, ensure it accurately reflects the degree of opposition you intend to convey. In some cases, a more nuanced phrase might be necessary to capture subtle differences.