totally differently

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally differently" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is done in a completely different manner or way compared to something else. Example: "After the meeting, we decided to approach the project totally differently to achieve better results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

"You can take the kid out of the neighborhood and put him in a different environment and he will behave totally differently".

The New York Times - Health

"I've watched people's careers end totally differently.

The New York Times - Sports

It's a great story but it's told totally differently.

The Guardian - Film

"They behave totally differently than students staying a semester".

The New York Times

"You see two people reacting totally differently to death".

The Guardian

Or you construct the point totally differently with spins and angles.

The New York Times - Sports

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

"Every human being is totally different and accumulates experiences and attachments differently," added Potkonjak.

Vice

"Every human being is totally different and accumulates experiences and attachments differently," added Dr Potkonjak.

Vice

For added fun, dress completely differently for a day, and act totally charming.

WikiHow

Even if the idea has already been developed in one direction, a Passionate Champion may see it very differently and develop it in a totally different manner.

Harvard Business Review

As in America, a couple hundred thousand Polish votes cast differently would have led to a totally different outcome.

HuffPost

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally differently" to emphasize a stark contrast between two methods, approaches, or perspectives. This phrase is effective when you want to highlight a significant deviation from the norm or previous behavior.

Common error

While "totally differently" is acceptable, overuse can sound repetitive or less sophisticated. Vary your language with synonyms such as "entirely differently" or "completely differently" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally differently" functions as an adverbial modifier, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. As Ludwig AI indicates, it emphasizes a significant contrast in how something is done.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

71%

Science

21%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally differently" is a commonly used adverbial phrase that emphasizes a significant contrast in how something is done. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is grammatically correct and frequently appears in news and media, with some presence in scientific and general contexts. While acceptable in many situations, writers should consider the formality of their audience and purpose, and use synonyms like "entirely differently" or "completely differently" in more formal writing to add sophistication. Remember to use the phrase when you need to strongly convey a marked deviation from the usual or expected approach.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely differently

Emphasizes a complete divergence in manner or approach.

completely differently

Highlights the thoroughness of the difference.

absolutely differently

Stresses the unquestionable nature of the difference.

utterly differently

Conveys a sense of profound and uncompromising difference.

altogether differently

Suggests a comprehensive shift in the overall method or style.

fundamentally differently

Indicates a change at the most basic and crucial level.

quite differently

Implies a noticeable but possibly not complete change.

really differently

A more informal way to express a significant change.

distinctly differently

Highlights the clear and easily noticeable differences.

noticeably differently

Emphasizes the observable or perceptible change in manner.

FAQs

How can I effectively use "totally differently" in a sentence?

Use "totally differently" to highlight a significant contrast in approach or method. For example: "After analyzing the data, we decided to approach the marketing campaign "totally differently" than we had originally planned."

What are some alternatives to using "totally differently"?

You can use alternatives like "completely differently", "entirely differently", or "absolutely differently" depending on the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it ever incorrect to use "totally differently"?

While grammatically correct, "totally differently" might sound too informal in highly formal or academic writing. In such cases, consider using a more sophisticated alternative like "fundamentally differently".

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

The phrases are largely interchangeable, but "totally differently" can sometimes carry a slightly more emphatic or informal tone than "completely differently", which may be perceived as more neutral.