fully

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'fully' is a correct and usable word in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the intensity of an action or when something is complete. Example sentence: I fully understand what you are trying to say.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

However, a South Korean defence official said separately that North Korea could develop a fully operational submarine with ballistic missiles within two or three years.

The Guardian

North Korea's recent test-firing of a ballistic missile from a submarine was "very serious and concerning", South Korea said on Monday, with one defence official suggesting Pyongyang could have a fully operational platform in two or three years.

The Guardian

He said North Korea still needed time to develop additional equipment in order to make its submarine-launched missile system fully operational.

The Guardian

"Huma represents what is best about America – the daughter of immigrants, who has risen to the highest levels of our government on the basis of her substantial personal merit and her abiding commitment to the American ideals that she embodies so fully.

The Guardian

The accountant's fees were fully declared for tax purposes and he paid tax on the benefit.

The Guardian

Ditto Leicester at Stoke and QPR at Everton and, indeed, Everton themselves: with Champions League qualification up for grabs, will Roberto Martínez commit to the Cup as fully as he did with Wigan?

The Guardian - Sport

"I have been assured by the assembly that these were rogue actions and are being fully investigated".

The Guardian

This is still ongoing but the council has assured us that they will fully fund the library for the next few years.

The Guardian - Books

It calls on the new government to fully fund council tax support, acknowledging that the scheme costs the councils millions of pounds and has increased the cost of living for some of the poorest.

The Guardian

Willke quit delivering babies in the late 1960s to oppose abortion, retiring from his medical practice in 1988 to fully devote his time to the anti-abortion movement.

The Guardian

This shows how adaptable public services have been so far, and, the fact that, in historic terms, that when retrenchment began they were relatively fully funded.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "fully" to emphasize the extent or degree to which something is done or experienced, ensuring it adds meaningful emphasis to your statement. For example, "I fully appreciate your efforts" conveys more gratitude than "I appreciate your efforts."

Common error

Avoid using "fully" when the verb already implies completeness. For example, instead of saying "fully complete the task", simply say "complete the task" as completion inherently means it is fully done.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "fully" primarily functions as an intensifier, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to denote completeness or the highest degree. Ludwig AI affirms its correct usage, aligning with examples demonstrating its role in emphasizing actions or states. For instance, "fully operational" or "fully aware".

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Formal & Business

23%

Science

25%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "fully" is a versatile word used to emphasize the degree or extent of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's grammatically correct and widely applicable, particularly in News & Media, Formal & Business and Science. To wield it effectively, ensure it adds meaningful emphasis and avoid redundancy. While alternatives like "completely" and "entirely" exist, "fully" offers a nuanced way to convey completeness in numerous contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely

Emphasizes totality, similar to "fully" but with a more absolute connotation.

entirely

Indicates a whole or undivided extent, synonymous with "fully" in many contexts.

thoroughly

Suggests a detailed and comprehensive approach, overlapping with "fully" when discussing actions or processes.

totally

Implies an absolute degree, like "fully", but can sometimes sound less formal.

absolutely

Emphasizes certainty and completeness, close to "fully" in meaning but with a stronger assertive tone.

perfectly

Highlights flawlessness or ideal conditions, sharing some overlap with "fully" depending on the context.

sufficiently

Indicates an adequate level of completeness, differing from "fully" by implying a minimum requirement is met.

in all respects

Emphasizes completeness from every perspective.

to the maximum extent

Stresses the upper limit of something, comparable to "fully" when indicating the highest degree.

in every way

Highlights all-encompassing completeness.

FAQs

How can I use "fully" in a sentence?

The word "fully" is an adverb that modifies a verb, adjective, or another adverb. For example: "The system is "fully operational"", "I "fully understand" what you're saying", or "The accountant's fees were "fully declared" for tax purposes".

What words can I use instead of "fully"?

You can use words like "completely", "entirely", or "thoroughly" depending on the specific context.

Is it redundant to say "fully complete"?

Yes, using "fully" with "complete" is often redundant because "complete" already implies that something is finished or whole. In most cases, it's better to simply use "complete".

What's the difference between "fully" and "completely"?

While "fully" and "completely" are often interchangeable, "fully" can sometimes imply a more nuanced or gradual process, while "completely" suggests a more absolute or total state. The choice depends on the specific meaning you wish to convey.