extinct completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "extinct completely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that a species or group has entirely disappeared without any remaining members. Example: "The passenger pigeon is a species that is now extinct completely due to overhunting and habitat loss."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

Under that scenario selection pressures will diminish and the A allele may not go extinct completely which presumably would help subsequent recovery [6].

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

"The creatures had all gone extinct, because people had hunted them out completely," Koster recalled.

The New Yorker

"The creatures had all gone extinct because people had hunted them out completely," [the designer Ralph] Koster recalled.

The New Yorker

Her species is now completely extinct.

Independent

Some of them are related to modern groups, while others are now completely extinct.

Encyclopedia Britannica

"I don't think lions will ever go completely extinct," he said.

The New York Times

If both the early modern human groups and the early intermixed Neanderthals went completely extinct, then this was still ultimately a failed expansion," he added.

The Guardian

Bears and lynx still inhabit the northern forests, while wolves are making a comeback, having become almost completely extinct in the 20th century.

Encyclopedia Britannica

While giving an opinion by actually raising one's hand may never become completely extinct, the devices can give voice to people too shy to speak up.

The New York Times

Dickinsonia, for example, has been interpreted as being a relative of jellyfish, a marine worm, a lichen, or even as a member of a completely extinct kingdom.

The New York Times - Science

Though completely extinct now, the last known birds, with much smaller wingspans, lived about two million years ago in various parts of the world, including North America, Africa, New Zealand and Japan.

The New York Times - Science

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "extinct completely" to emphasize that a species, lineage, or other entity has disappeared without any remaining trace. This phrase is particularly effective when you want to remove any ambiguity about the completeness of the extinction.

Common error

Avoid using phrases that are already implicit in the term "extinct". For example, avoid saying something like "absolutely extinct without any survivors", as extinction inherently means there are no survivors. Choose your words carefully to convey the meaning effectively without unnecessary repetition.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "extinct completely" functions as an adverbial modifier, emphasizing the state of being extinct. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct, clarifying the thoroughness and finality of the extinction.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

39%

News & Media

39%

Encyclopedias

14%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "extinct completely" serves to underscore the total and irreversible disappearance of something, most often a species or lineage. While grammatically sound, it's less common than alternatives like "entirely extinct" but carries a similar weight. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness, and its usage spans scientific, journalistic, and encyclopedic contexts, demonstrating a broad applicability. To ensure effective communication, remember that redundancy in phrasing can weaken your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely extinct

Changes the word order and uses a synonym for "completely" before "extinct".

totally extinct

Replaces "completely" with "totally", a synonym emphasizing the completeness of extinction.

absolutely extinct

Uses "absolutely" as a stronger synonym for "completely", intensifying the sense of extinction.

wholly extinct

Employs "wholly", a formal synonym for "completely", suggesting a complete and thorough extinction.

vanished completely

Shifts the focus to the act of vanishing, using "completely" to emphasize the thoroughness of the disappearance.

entirely disappeared

Focuses on disappearance, using "entirely" to highlight the completeness of the vanishing.

gone completely

Uses a simpler, more informal phrasing to express the idea of complete extinction.

no longer in existence

Offers a more descriptive and formal way to convey the concept of complete extinction.

ceased to exist entirely

Emphasizes the cessation of existence with the adverb "entirely".

became fully extinct

Uses "fully" as a synonym for "completely", focusing on the process of becoming extinct.

FAQs

What does "extinct completely" mean?

The phrase "extinct completely" means that a species, or any other group, has entirely died out with no remaining living members. It emphasizes the total and irreversible nature of the extinction.

Is it better to say "entirely extinct" or "extinct completely"?

Both phrases are grammatically correct and convey the same meaning. "Entirely extinct" may be slightly more common, but the choice depends on the context and desired emphasis.

What are some alternative phrases for "extinct completely"?

Alternatives include "totally extinct", "absolutely extinct", "wholly extinct", or "no longer in existence", which can add variety to your writing.

Can I use "extinct completely" when talking about something other than species?

Yes, while often used in the context of species, "extinct completely" can also apply to other entities that can cease to exist, such as traditions, ideas, or technologies. For example, "That business model is now extinct completely."