totally

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "totally" is correct and commonly used in written English.
It expresses a strong degree of agreement or confirmation and can be used in a variety of contexts. For example, "I totally agree with your opinion."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It's totally different.

The New York Times - Sports

The reality is, however, that the French prison system is under great strain and faces totally new challenges related to geo-political tensions in north Africa and the Middle East.

The Guardian

The following day he totally blew a gasket, saying that Ed Balls' description of Liam Byrne's "there's no money left" note as a joke was "frankly the most appalling thing I have heard in this election campaign so far".

The Guardian

The poster for these current live shows, A Room With a Stew, features two oversized quotes: one from the Daily Telegraph calling him "toxic" and another from a Ukip parliamentary candidate describing his routine as "totally evil propaganda… untrue and unfunny".

The Guardian

A senior Downing Street source said Osborne simply wanted to ensure every option on the referendum was explored: "The overall approach was don't give the SNP any reason to feel that this vote is anything other than totally fair".

The Guardian

The draw was totally understandable in the circumstances".

The Guardian - Sport

The trouble is that issues pertaining to north of the border are almost totally irrelevant in the 2011 Irish general election.

The Guardian

I thought it was freaky, what I saw was totally unusual.

The Guardian - Sport

"I totally accept, and am very responsible, and I have no regrets," he said.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

They diagnosed my eldest daughter with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) – our local services had missed this totally – and offered therapy to my youngest daughter to help her deal with nightmares.

The Guardian

The waterfront has been redeveloped and the park totally remodelled – it is now packed with families strolling in the summer sunshine or skating on its frozen paths, depending on the time of year.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally" to emphasize a point or express strong agreement. However, be mindful of overusing it, as it can sometimes sound informal or exaggerated, especially in formal writing.

Common error

While "totally" is acceptable in informal settings, relying on it excessively in professional or academic writing can undermine the seriousness or precision of your tone. Opt for more formal alternatives like "completely" or "entirely" to maintain a professional voice.

Linguistic Context

The adverb "totally" functions primarily as an intensifier, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to emphasize the degree or extent of an action or state. As Ludwig AI confirms, it indicates a strong level of agreement or confirmation.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the adverb "totally" is a common and grammatically sound way to express completeness, agreement, or emphasis. As Ludwig AI notes, it's often used to convey a strong degree of affirmation. While highly frequent in News & Media contexts and suitable for informal settings, it may be less appropriate for formal or academic writing, where alternatives like "completely" or "entirely" may be preferred. The analysis underscores the importance of context when choosing between "totally" and its synonyms. Always remember to consider the formality of your audience and the tone you wish to convey. The usage examples highlight the phrase's versatility in everyday language and various media.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely

Indicates a state of being finished or absolute, functioning as a direct synonym for "totally" in many contexts.

Absolutely

Emphasizes agreement or affirmation, similar to "totally" when used to express strong concurrence.

Entirely

Suggests the whole extent or range, closely mirroring the comprehensive sense of "totally".

Wholly

Implies exclusivity or completeness, serving as a comparable substitute for "totally" in denoting full extent.

Altogether

Conveys totality or inclusiveness, providing a similar meaning to "totally" when accentuating a complete state.

Perfectly

Signifies flawlessness or ideal correctness, akin to "totally" when expressing complete agreement or suitability.

Utterly

Emphasizes a state without reservation or qualification, resembling "totally" in stressing the full extent of something.

Positively

Adds a tone of certainty and conviction, much like "totally" when affirming something emphatically.

Unquestionably

Indicates something beyond doubt or dispute, similar to "totally" in conveying absolute certainty.

Undeniably

Implies irrefutability or incontestability, mirroring "totally" in highlighting an incontrovertible fact or condition.

FAQs

How can I use "totally" in a sentence?

You can use "totally" as an adverb to mean completely or absolutely, as in "I totally agree with you", or to express enthusiastic agreement, such as "That movie was totally awesome!"

What words can I use instead of "totally"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "completely", "absolutely", or "entirely". Each emphasizes completeness or agreement.

Is it correct to use "totally" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "totally" is often considered informal. In formal writing, it's best to use more precise or professional alternatives like "completely" or "entirely" to maintain a suitable tone.

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

"Totally" and "completely" are often interchangeable, but "totally" can carry a more emphatic or informal tone. "Completely" is generally safer for formal contexts, while "totally" is fine for casual conversation.