completely unprofessional

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely unprofessional" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe behavior or actions that are not appropriate or acceptable in a professional context. Example: "The way he spoke to the client was completely unprofessional and could damage our reputation."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

I've been told that Stevo [the Sky pundit Mike Stephenson, a former Great Britain hooker] has said we were completely unprofessional.

The Guardian - Sport

The replication authors state very clearly that the case for deworming should not be based on one study and that one needs to look at the whole body of evidence in order to make an informed decision about whether it 'works.' Your implication that the publication of the replications in IJE was an inside job is completely unprofessional.

University of California, Berkeley

It was a completely unprofessional start to a game.

BBC

Completely unprofessional, especially for a medical setting".

Huffington Post

She missed weight for this fight by over 7 pounds, a completely unprofessional amount.

Los Angeles Times

The bank tellers actions inside and outside of the bank were completely unprofessional and never should have happened.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

It is totally unprofessional.

The Guardian - Sport

It is wholly unprofessional".

BBC

It comes across as totally unprofessional.

TechCrunch

He acted totally unprofessional".

BMC Medical Education

She got this horrified look on her face and said, "You don't do that at work, do you?" She told me it was completely inappropriate and unprofessional.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "completely unprofessional" to express strong disapproval of behavior that violates expected professional standards. It's suitable when the conduct is clearly and obviously inappropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "completely unprofessional" for minor infractions or subjective disagreements. Reserve it for instances where the violation of professional conduct is blatant and significant; otherwise, consider milder alternatives.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely unprofessional" functions as an adjectival phrase, modifying a noun (often behavior, conduct, or actions). It serves to characterize something as failing to meet the expected standards of a professional setting. As Ludwig confirms, this phrase is usable and correct in written English.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

30%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "completely unprofessional" is an adjectival phrase used to strongly criticize behavior that falls far short of professional standards. Ludwig confirms its correctness and usability. While not extremely common, it appears in news and media, as well as in academic contexts. For similar meanings, consider "utterly unprofessional" or "totally unprofessional", and reserve it for instances where the breach of conduct is truly blatant. Be mindful to avoid overuse in situations where less emphatic phrasing would be more appropriate.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

utterly unprofessional

Emphasizes the extreme degree of unprofessionalism.

totally unprofessional

Similar to 'utterly', it indicates a complete absence of professionalism.

entirely unprofessional

Indicates that the behavior or action is wholly lacking in professionalism.

wholly unprofessional

Mirrors 'entirely', stressing a full absence of professional standards.

thoroughly unprofessional

Suggests that the unprofessionalism is pervasive and comprehensive.

patently unprofessional

Highlights that the lack of professionalism is obvious and undeniable.

blatantly unprofessional

Emphasizes the obvious and shameless nature of the unprofessional conduct.

egregiously unprofessional

Points out that the behavior is shockingly bad and stands out as particularly unprofessional.

absolutely unprofessional

Another way to say that something lacks professionalism with no reservations.

unacceptably unprofessional

Highlights that the behavior falls below an acceptable standard of professionalism.

FAQs

What does "completely unprofessional" mean?

The phrase "completely unprofessional" describes behavior or actions that are entirely lacking in the standards expected in a professional environment. It suggests a strong departure from acceptable conduct.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "completely unprofessional"?

It is appropriate to use "completely unprofessional" when someone's actions or behavior clearly violate established professional norms and expectations. It's suitable when the breach is obvious and significant.

Are there alternative ways to say "completely unprofessional"?

Yes, alternatives include "utterly unprofessional", "totally unprofessional", or "entirely unprofessional". The choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

How can I avoid misusing the term "completely unprofessional"?

Avoid using "completely unprofessional" for minor or subjective issues. Ensure the behavior genuinely violates clear professional standards to warrant such a strong term. Overusing it can diminish its impact.