totally against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally against" is correct and can be used in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize a strong opposition to an idea or thing. For example: "I am totally against any form of animal cruelty."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The party is "ripe for entryism, which we're not totally against", one source said.

The Guardian

"We are totally against violence.

The New York Times - Sports

They're totally against memory.

The New York Times

"It was totally against character," Gross said.

The New Yorker

"I am totally against guns," Stephanie said.

The New Yorker

I was totally against that.

The New York Times

Totally against Lib Dem policy.

The Guardian

"I was totally against it".

The New Yorker

"I'm totally against social media.

The Guardian - Arts

"My family were totally against Hitler's regime".

The New York Times - Arts

"I'm totally against this distinction," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally against" to clearly and emphatically express your disagreement or opposition to something. Ensure the context warrants such a strong stance.

Common error

Avoid using "totally against" when a more moderate expression of disagreement would be more appropriate. Consider whether a softer phrase might better suit the specific situation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally against" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying a verb or adjective, expressing a state of complete disagreement or opposition. Ludwig confirms its correct usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Formal & Business

27%

Science

10%

Less common in

Academia

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "totally against" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to convey strong opposition or disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely used in various contexts, especially in news and media. When using "totally against", consider the specific context to ensure that such a strong stance is appropriate. For scenarios where a more moderate expression is required, alternatives like "completely opposed to" or "firmly against" may be more suitable. Remember to use "totally against" strategically to effectively communicate your viewpoint.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely opposed to

Uses "opposed" instead of "against" to convey disagreement.

utterly opposed to

Similar to totally against but using utterly to show the extent.

firmly against

Replaces "totally" with "firmly" to indicate strong opposition.

strongly opposed to

Emphasizes strength of opposition with "strongly" instead of "totally".

unequivocally against

Indicates lack of ambiguity in opposition.

in complete disagreement with

Uses a more verbose phrasing to express opposition.

dead set against

Informal phrase emphasizing strong, fixed opposition.

vehemently opposed to

Conveys intense and passionate opposition.

absolutely not in favor of

Clearly indicates disapproval or rejection.

having a strong aversion to

Focuses on the feeling of dislike and opposition.

FAQs

How can I use "totally against" in a sentence?

You can use "totally against" to express strong opposition to something. For example, "I am totally against the new policy."

What's a more formal alternative to "totally against"?

For a more formal alternative, consider phrases like "completely opposed to" or "strongly opposed to".

Is it always appropriate to use "totally against"?

While "totally against" effectively conveys strong disagreement, it might not be suitable for every situation. Consider the context and your audience to ensure it doesn't come across as overly aggressive or dismissive.

What's the difference between "totally against" and "somewhat against"?

"Totally against" indicates complete opposition, whereas "somewhat against" suggests a milder form of disagreement or reservation. The choice depends on the degree of your opposition.