totally and completely

USAGE SUMMARY

"totally and completely" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is used to emphasize the degree or extent of something. Example: She was totally and completely exhausted after running the marathon. In this sentence, the use of "totally and completely" emphasizes the speaker's emphasis on the level of exhaustion that the subject experienced.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

58 human-written examples

Totally and completely not in any way his fault.

The New York Times

All one-hundred-per-cent totally and completely fabricated.

The New Yorker

Below are a few selections from the site, picked totally and completely at random:.

The New Yorker

"We don't know, truly, what the ramifications are, totally and completely, because the story is unfolding".

The New York Times

"Her comments about grammar schools are utterly, totally and completely untrue".

The Guardian

He said: "I am totally and completely and absolutely against antisemitism".

The Guardian - Opinion

Harry's going to have to describe who it is he spoke with because of course, that's totally and completely wrong.

The New York Times

But she told the committee Tuesday that the "allegations against my husband and myself are totally and completely unfounded".

The New York Times

I am absolutely clear in my own mind; I am totally and completely and absolutely against any antisemitism".

The Guardian

But to kill a puppy means that you just totally and completely suck, and therefore deserve no mercy.

The Guardian - Film

It's true that no one wants to totally and completely unchain Wall Street so that bankers can do absolutely whatever they want in a lawless state of nature.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally and completely" to add emphasis and convey a strong sense of agreement, certainty, or extent. However, avoid overusing it, as it can become repetitive.

Common error

Avoid using "totally and completely" when one of the words is sufficient. For example, instead of saying "I totally and completely agree", you could simply say "I totally agree" or "I completely agree".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally and completely" functions as an intensifier, modifying adjectives or verbs to emphasize the degree or extent of a quality or action. As shown by Ludwig, it serves to strengthen the statement being made.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

78%

Wiki

9%

Science

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

3%

Reference

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "totally and completely" is a grammatically correct and commonly used intensifier, as affirmed by Ludwig. Its function is to emphasize the degree or extent of a quality or action. While predominantly found in news and media contexts, it also appears in wikis and scientific articles. Although it is often appropriate, overusing the phrase can lead to redundancy. Alternatives such as "absolutely and utterly" or "entirely and utterly" can offer variety. When deciding whether to use "totally and completely", consider whether a single intensifier would suffice, and gauge the formality of the context. Ludwig's examples showcase the phrase's broad applicability and nuances.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely and utterly

Replaces both adjectives with similar intensifiers, emphasizing the extreme nature of something.

entirely and utterly

Uses "entirely" instead of "totally" to convey a sense of completeness and finality.

completely and utterly

Swaps the order, placing emphasis on "utterly" while retaining a very similar sense.

wholly and entirely

Employs "wholly" and "entirely" to communicate a sense of the whole and complete.

fully and completely

Substitutes "fully" for "totally", focusing on the completeness of something.

thoroughly and utterly

Uses "thoroughly" to suggest a detailed and comprehensive nature, while "utterly" still conveys extreme intensity.

absolutely and entirely

Uses "absolutely" instead of "totally" and is less intense than "utterly".

perfectly and entirely

Shifts the focus to flawlessness while retaining the sense of completeness.

unreservedly and completely

Highlights the lack of reservations or limitations while maintaining a sense of completeness.

unquestionably and completely

Stresses the certainty of something, maintaining the sense of completeness.

FAQs

How can I use "totally and completely" in a sentence?

You can use "totally and completely" to emphasize a feeling, action, or state. For example, "I am "totally and completely" against antisemitism" or "The allegations are "totally and completely" unfounded".

What's a less repetitive way to say "totally and completely"?

Consider using synonyms like "absolutely and utterly", "completely and utterly", or "entirely and utterly" to achieve a similar emphasis without repeating the same words.

Is it ever incorrect to use "totally and completely"?

While grammatically correct, using both words may sometimes be redundant. Assess whether the sentence's meaning remains intact with just "totally" or "completely" to avoid unnecessary repetition.

What is the difference between "totally and completely" and "utterly and completely"?

"Totally and completely" implies a thorough and absolute state, while "utterly and completely" can suggest a more extreme or overwhelming sense of that state. The choice depends on the desired level of emphasis.