look completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "look completely" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone or something that appears to be in a certain state or condition without any reservations or exceptions. Example: "After the makeover, she looked completely different from her old self."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Wiki

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

— "I look completely normal, right?" a completely normal-looking Taylor Twellman says.

Los Angeles Times

Ronnie Corbett look completely bemused.

The Guardian

Holland look completely in control.

The Guardian - Sport

"The landscape could look completely different.

The New York Times - Sports

"Her arteries look completely normal," she said.

The New York Times - Health

"Because you look completely different when you smile.

The New Yorker

75 min: Holland look completely comfortable at the back.

The Guardian - Sport

I've run into trendsetters who look completely Joe Regular Guy.

The New Yorker

For a start, they all look completely exhausted.

The Guardian

They look completely different depending on how I display them.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

One frame in 10 will look completely different.

The Guardian - Film

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "look completely", ensure that the adjective following it accurately describes the state or quality being conveyed. For example, "look completely different" or "look completely normal".

Common error

Avoid using "completely" redundantly when the adjective already implies a full extent. For instance, instead of "look completely finished", consider "look finished" as "finished" already suggests completeness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "look completely" functions as a modifier, typically used to intensify the adjective that follows it. It indicates that something or someone exhibits a particular quality to a full or absolute degree. Ludwig AI examples show usage in diverse contexts, from describing appearances to assessing situations.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

51%

Wiki

22%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

9%

Encyclopedias

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "look completely" is a versatile modifier used to intensify the adjective that follows, emphasizing a thorough or total state. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage across various contexts, from news reports to academic papers. The primary contexts include News & Media, Wiki and Academia. While the phrase is generally neutral in register, it's important to avoid redundancy by ensuring that the adjective following "completely" doesn't already imply a full extent. Related alternatives include "appear entirely" and "seem wholly", offering slight variations in emphasis. Be sure to select the alternative that best fits the intended nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

look totally

Uses "totally" as a synonym for "completely", indicating a full extent.

appear entirely

Focuses on the appearance being whole or absolute.

seem wholly

Emphasizes the impression given as being undivided or total.

seem utterly

Conveys a sense of finality or absoluteness in the appearance.

appear altogether

Highlights the overall appearance without exception.

look fully

Focuses on the appearance being complete or developed.

seem perfectly

Suggests the appearance is flawless or ideal.

appear thoroughly

Implies a deep or exhaustive observation of the appearance.

appear quite

Suggests a noticeable or considerable degree of completeness in appearance.

seem outright

Highlights an explicit or unambiguous appearance.

FAQs

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

You can use "look completely" to describe someone or something that appears to be in a certain state without any reservations. For example, "After the renovation, the house "looked completely different"."

What are some alternatives to "look completely"?

Alternatives include "appear entirely", "seem wholly", or "appear altogether" depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use "completely" with certain adjectives?

Yes, using "completely" with adjectives that inherently imply completeness can be redundant. For example, saying "completely finished" might be unnecessary; "finished" already suggests it's done. In such cases, using just "finished" might be more effective.

What's the difference between "look completely" and "look very"?

"Look completely" suggests a total or absolute state, while "look very" implies a high degree but not necessarily a complete one. For instance, "look completely exhausted" means someone appears entirely drained, whereas "look very tired" simply means they appear quite weary but might still have some energy left.