total awe

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "total awe" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a complete or overwhelming feeling of admiration or wonder towards something. Example: "When she stepped onto the stage, the audience was in total awe of her performance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

24 human-written examples

"I stumbled out in total awe.

The New Yorker

At first it was like total awe, total respect.

The New York Times - Sports

Kubrick's grand vision still inspires total awe today.

The Guardian - Film

He's not a 21-year-old guy who's in total awe of the big leagues".

The New York Times - Sports

Stanley Kubrick's 1968 sci-fi masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey is, for me, primarily about the experience of total awe.

The Guardian - Film

"When we saw it, we were in total awe," said Ms. Johnson, 26, an art gallery director.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

36 human-written examples

The first chart plots the time series of AWE total and regular pay which excludes bonuses since 2005.

Independent

US army staff sergeant Scott Smith boasts warbots create "an almost helpless feeling.... It's total shock and awe".

Independent

Moving in ways that have never been seen before... total wonderment and awe fill your entire being.

Huffington Post

"As I popped my head out of the hole in Jesus' crown, I was in total and utter awe as my eyes met with a vast panorama that quite literally took my breath away," Thompson wrote.

Vice

Our blue planet today is not only a Goldilocks world in terms of habitability, it's also the best time and place in the entire solar system to stand in awe of total eclipses.

Vice

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "total awe" to express a sense of complete wonder and admiration, particularly when encountering something extraordinary or impressive.

Common error

Avoid using "total awe" for commonplace occurrences; reserve it for truly remarkable experiences to maintain its impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "total awe" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often used as the object of a preposition (e.g., "in total awe") or as a complement to a verb. It describes a state of being or a feeling. Ludwig confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

82%

Huffington Post

6%

Vice

3%

Less common in

Independent

2%

The Guardian

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Total awe" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a profound sense of admiration and wonder. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage and highlights its common presence in news and media. While versatile, it's best reserved for genuinely remarkable experiences to maintain its impact. Alternatives such as "complete amazement" or "utter astonishment" can be used to vary expression. The phrase carries a neutral register and its occurrence, albeit common, it's still less frequent than simpler emotional expression, hence careful choice of alternatives for everyday situations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

sheer amazement

Highlights the purity and intensity of the amazement, making it undiluted.

complete amazement

Emphasizes the feeling of surprise and wonder, differing from "total awe" by highlighting the initial reaction.

utter astonishment

Suggests a higher degree of surprise and disbelief compared to "total awe".

pure wonder

Emphasizes the genuine and unadulterated nature of the wonder experienced.

profound wonder

Focuses on the depth and intensity of the wonder experienced, rather than just the feeling of awe.

overwhelming admiration

Focuses on the intense and powerful nature of the admiration felt.

deep admiration

Highlights the respect and approval felt, which may be a component of "total awe".

genuine respect

Highlights the authenticity and sincerity of the respect held for someone or something.

absolute reverence

Implies a more formal and respectful form of admiration, often associated with something sacred.

complete fascination

Emphasizes the captivating nature of the subject, leading to intense interest and wonder.

FAQs

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

You can use "total awe" to describe a feeling of complete admiration or wonder. For example, "I was in total awe of the gymnast's incredible performance".

What can I say instead of "total awe"?

You can use alternatives like "complete amazement", "utter astonishment", or "profound wonder" depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "total awe" in formal writing?

While "total awe" is acceptable, more formal alternatives such as "profound respect" or "deep admiration" might be preferable in academic or professional contexts.

What's the difference between "total awe" and "slight awe"?

"Total awe" signifies an overwhelming feeling of wonder, while "slight awe" suggests a milder, less intense sense of admiration.