in complete awe

USAGE SUMMARY

"in complete awe" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to express a feeling of admiration, or wonder at something or someone. For example, "The audience was in complete awe when the magician performed the trick."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

34 human-written examples

The entire team was in complete awe of the stadium.

The New York Times

A young journalist is in complete awe of Condé Nast".

The New Yorker

It was like a visit from the Queen: everyone was in complete awe.

The Guardian - Film

I went to my first show in 2010 and was in complete awe of her.

The Guardian

"I held her brain in my hands in complete awe," said Dr. Bialylew, 32, who is currently studying psychiatry.

The New York Times

I am still processing the beautiful transition my whole family has traveled through and I am in complete awe of our strength as humans, women, and mothers.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

It leave me in complete, unabashed AWE!

Harvard University

I was left sitting in complete, peaceful awe.

HuffPost

It was easy casting; the part called for a metropolitan city to sit in complete and total awe as a masked superhero saved its day.

Huffington Post

The other themed criticism to my piece - 'if I felt I belonged more in India, and am not in complete love and awe of the US way of life, I should not be here' - surprised me more than the above.

Huffington Post

"I was completely in awe," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "in complete awe" to describe a profound feeling of admiration, respect, or wonder when encountering something truly remarkable or exceptional. For example, "The audience was in complete awe of the orchestra's performance."

Common error

Avoid using "in complete awe" to describe commonplace or ordinary experiences. This phrase is best reserved for situations that genuinely inspire a deep sense of wonder or reverence, not everyday occurrences.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "in complete awe" functions as an adjectival phrase, typically modifying a subject to express the state of being filled with profound admiration or wonder. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable nature in written English. For instance, "The entire team was in complete awe of the stadium."

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Academia

15%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "in complete awe" is a powerful way to express a deep sense of admiration, respect, or wonder. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is grammatically correct and suitable for use in written English, although it is best reserved for situations that genuinely inspire a profound emotional response. Its frequency is common, mainly across news media and academic contexts, and it is generally considered to have a neutral to slightly formal register. When aiming for variety in your writing, consider alternatives such as "awestruck", "utterly amazed", or "deeply impressed", each carrying a slightly different nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

awestruck

A single-word adjective encapsulating the feeling of being filled with awe, making it more concise.

in absolute admiration

Replaces "awe" with "admiration" and "complete" with "absolute", making it more about appreciation.

utterly amazed

Replaces "awe" with "amazed" and uses "utterly" for emphasis, changing the focus slightly to amazement.

in total wonder

Swaps "complete" with "total" and emphasizes the feeling of wonder rather than awe.

filled with wonder

Emphasizes the sense of marvel and curiosity, rather than just respect or admiration.

deeply impressed

Shifts the focus from awe to admiration and respect, using "deeply" to intensify the feeling.

totally astonished

Highlights the surprise and disbelief caused by something remarkable.

struck with amazement

Focuses on the sudden impact of the feeling of amazement.

mesmerized

Focuses on the captivating and spellbinding effect of something impressive.

reverently impressed

Adds a tone of deep respect and veneration to the feeling of being impressed.

FAQs

How can I use "in complete awe" in a sentence?

Use "in complete awe" to express a feeling of profound respect, admiration, or wonder. For example, "I was "in complete awe" when I saw the Grand Canyon for the first time."

What can I say instead of "in complete awe"?

You can use alternatives like "awestruck", "utterly amazed", or "deeply impressed" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it correct to say "in complete awe of" or "in complete awe at"?

"In complete awe of" is generally the preferred construction. While "in complete awe at" isn't grammatically incorrect, it's less common and might sound slightly awkward to some native English speakers.

What's the difference between "in complete awe" and "in total wonder"?

While both phrases express strong positive emotion, "in complete awe" often implies a sense of respect or reverence, while "in total wonder" focuses more on amazement and curiosity. The best choice depends on the specific context.