dissolve completely

USAGE SUMMARY

"dissolve completely" is correct and usable in written English. You can use it when describing a substance that fully breaks down in a liquid. Example: "Stir the powder until it dissolves completely in the water." Alternative expressions include "fully dissolve" and "totally dissolve."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

46 human-written examples

The pyrene derivatives proved difficult to dissolve completely and a number of heating and cooling cycles were undertaken to ensure complete dissolution and homogenisation occurred.

Chemistry - A European Journal

Don't worry if the sugar doesn't dissolve completely.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

In these cases, I recommend miserly self-control, and letting every morsel dissolve completely on the tongue.

The New Yorker

"If you were to place a block of gypsum the size of a transit van in a river, it would dissolve completely within about 18 months".

The Guardian

While it is still hot, juice the lime into a cup and stir in the granulated sugar (which will not dissolve completely).

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Still, I understand it can be very disorientating in the wild – once you're out there, the line between survival and ratings survival blurs, and the line between subsistence and "specialist" sexual subculture services appears to dissolve completely.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

13 human-written examples

Whisk until dissolved completely.

The New York Times - Food

Once the sugar has dissolved completely, add the margarine.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Pour cream into saucepan, whisking constantly, until sugars have dissolved completely and sauce is smooth, about 1 minute.

The New York Times - Food

That summer's heat dissolved completely and has long seemed a part of someone else's life.

The New York Times

So if Enron dissolved completely, it would be difficult for the company to maintain its trademarks or win renewals.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When instructing someone to mix a substance, specify the mixing method and duration to ensure the substance "dissolves completely". For example: "Stir vigorously for two minutes until the powder dissolves completely."

Common error

Avoid assuming that a substance has "dissolved completely" simply because it appears clear. Tiny particles might still be present, affecting the solution's properties. Verify by checking for residue or using a magnifying glass.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dissolve completely" functions as a verb phrase, where "dissolve" is the main verb and "completely" acts as an adverb modifying the verb. It describes the action of something breaking down into a liquid until no solid remains. Ludwig examples confirm its usage across various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

News & Media

18%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

2%

Social Media

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dissolve completely" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression, as affirmed by Ludwig. It functions as a verb phrase indicating the thorough dissolution of a substance in a liquid. Its usage spans from neutral to formal and scientific contexts, with a strong presence in science, news, and wiki sources. Alternatives such as "fully dissolve" or "totally dissolve" offer similar meanings. Ludwig indicates that while the phrase is correct and usable, careful attention should be paid to ensure actual complete dissolution in practical applications.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

fully dissolve

Replaces "completely" with "fully", emphasizing the thoroughness of the dissolution.

totally dissolve

Replaces "completely" with "totally", intensifying the sense of dissolution.

entirely dissolve

Uses "entirely" in place of "completely", highlighting the comprehensive nature of the dissolving process.

melt away entirely

Shifts the focus to melting, suggesting a disappearance through heat, with "entirely" adding emphasis.

vanish without a trace

Implies a complete disappearance, moving beyond just dissolving to a complete lack of remaining substance.

disappear entirely

Focuses on the disappearance of something, rather than the specific process of dissolving.

become fully soluble

Changes the verb and focuses on the state of being soluble instead of the action of dissolving.

go into solution completely

Uses more technical language and specifies the end result of dissolving in a solution.

be fully broken down

Shifts the focus to a breakdown process rather than dissolution.

break down entirely

Focuses on breaking something down completely, not specifically in a liquid.

FAQs

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

You can use "dissolve completely" to describe the action of a substance fully breaking down in a liquid. For example: "The sugar must "dissolve completely" for the recipe to work."

What are some alternatives to "dissolve completely"?

Alternatives include "fully dissolve", "totally dissolve", or "entirely dissolve". The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.

Is it redundant to say "dissolve completely"?

While "dissolve" often implies a complete process, using "dissolve completely" can add emphasis and clarity, especially when there's a risk of incomplete dissolution.

What factors affect whether a substance will "dissolve completely"?

Factors such as temperature, the type of solvent, and the presence of other substances can affect whether a substance will "dissolve completely". Some substances may require stirring or heating to fully dissolve.