it was totally

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "it was totally" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to emphasize the extent or degree of something, often in informal contexts. Example: "The movie was totally amazing, and I can't stop thinking about it."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

53 human-written examples

It was totally dark".

The New York Times

"It was totally unexpected.

Independent

It was totally stupid".

The New York Times - Sports

It was totally uncool".

The New York Times - Food

"It was totally haphazard".

The New Yorker

It was totally different.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

7 human-written examples

It's totally bogus.

Cornell University

It's totally intractable.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

"It is totally baseless".

The New York Times

It's totally feminine".

The New York Times

It is totally wrong.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "it was totally" to add emphasis to a statement, particularly in informal contexts. For a more formal tone, consider alternatives like "it was completely" or "it was entirely".

Common error

Avoid using "it was totally" in formal or academic writing. Opt for more precise and sophisticated language to convey your message effectively.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "it was totally" functions as an intensifier, amplifying the adjective that follows. Ludwig AI confirms this usage through numerous examples where "totally" strengthens the descriptive word, expressing a high degree of the described quality.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Wiki

11%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "it was totally" is a common and grammatically sound way to add emphasis, particularly in informal contexts. Ludwig AI confirms that it functions as an intensifier, commonly used in news and media, as well as in wikis and general conversation. While acceptable, more formal alternatives like "it was completely" or "it was entirely" should be preferred for academic or professional writing. When considering usage, avoid overuse in formal contexts and prioritize clarity and precision.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

it was absolutely

Replaces "totally" with "absolutely", offering a very close synonym for emphasis.

it was completely

Substitutes "totally" with "completely", providing a near-identical level of emphasis.

it was utterly

Uses "utterly" instead of "totally" to convey a sense of thoroughness or completeness.

it was entirely

Replaces "totally" with "entirely", indicating a whole or undiminished state.

it was perfectly

Changes "totally" to "perfectly", suggesting an ideal or flawless condition.

it was wholly

Employs "wholly" in place of "totally", emphasizing the full extent or degree.

it was fully

Swaps "totally" for "fully", highlighting the completeness of the state or action.

it was genuinely

Replaces "totally" with "genuinely", focusing on the authenticity or sincerity of the statement.

it was undeniably

Uses "undeniably" instead of "totally" to stress the incontrovertible nature of the fact.

it was patently

Substitutes "totally" with "patently", emphasizing the obviousness or clarity of the situation.

FAQs

What does "it was totally" mean?

The phrase "it was totally" is used to emphasize the degree or extent of something. It indicates that something was completely or absolutely a certain way.

What can I say instead of "it was totally"?

You can use alternatives like "it was absolutely", "it was completely", or "it was utterly" depending on the context.

Is "it was totally" appropriate for formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "it was totally" is generally considered informal. In formal writing, it's better to use phrases like "it was completely" or "it was entirely".

How do I use "it was totally" in a sentence?

You can use "it was totally" followed by an adjective or adverb to emphasize a characteristic. For example, "It was totally unexpected" or "It was totally dark".