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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak
CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com
totally drained
Grammar usage guide and real-world examplesUSAGE SUMMARY
The phrase "totally drained" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe a state of extreme fatigue or exhaustion, either physically or emotionally. Example: "After working a 12-hour shift, I felt completely totally drained and needed to rest."
✓ Grammatically correct
News & Media
Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Human-verified examples from authoritative sources
Exact Expressions
13 human-written examples
Physically I am totally drained and mentally -- not so far off".
News & Media
"I am totally drained," said Susan A. Davis, Democrat of California, after she cast her no vote and left the floor this afternoon.
News & Media
"That last game, when I took him out in that fourth quarter, I could see that he was totally, totally drained from all the energy that he exerted out there," Scott said.
News & Media
"You finish it [the Tour] totally drained.
News & Media
"Our confidence seems to be totally drained - there's a fear factor.
News & Media
"You come home totally drained.
News & Media
Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources
Similar Expressions
47 human-written examples
It was an almost savage performance, and totally draining.
News & Media
His teammates came to a gradual realization that something wonderful had happened, that this grueling, totally draining campaign was over.
News & Media
This anxiety can totally drain you.
News & Media
Is there anything worse than coming off the high of a music festival, AKA the best three days of your year, with a sad Sunday night pre-work hangover that totally drains your body of endorphins?
News & Media
Adoption can be trying, emotionally nerve wracking and totally draining, but once you bring your baby home, all that will be just a distant memory.
Wiki
Expert writing Tips
Best practice
Use "totally drained" to express a state of complete exhaustion, whether physical, emotional, or mental. Ensure the context clearly indicates what is being depleted.
Common error
Avoid relying too heavily on "totally" as an intensifier. While acceptable, overuse can weaken your writing. Consider using more specific adjectives to describe the type and degree of exhaustion.
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested
Linguistic Context
The phrase "totally drained" functions primarily as a descriptive adjective phrase, where 'totally' intensifies the state of being 'drained'. It is used to express a feeling of extreme exhaustion or depletion of energy, either physically, emotionally or mentally. Ludwig examples confirm this use.
Frequent in
News & Media
70%
Wiki
10%
Science
8%
Less common in
Formal & Business
4%
Encyclopedias
4%
Reference
4%
Ludwig's WRAP-UP
The phrase "totally drained" is a common and grammatically correct way to express extreme exhaustion. As Ludwig AI reports, the phrase is acceptable and can be found across various sources. It functions as an adjective phrase, with "totally" intensifying the meaning of "drained". While not as frequent as alternatives like "completely exhausted", it's a useful term to convey a strong feeling of depletion. The majority of its usage appears in News & Media contexts. When writing, be mindful of overusing "totally" as an intensifier and consider alternative phrases for greater precision and impact.
More alternative expressions(6)
Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:
completely exhausted
This alternative uses a different adjective to convey the same meaning of being utterly depleted of energy.
utterly fatigued
This alternative is a more formal way of expressing extreme tiredness, using a synonym for "drained".
absolutely spent
This alternative uses a more informal and colloquial term to describe being completely exhausted.
completely depleted
This alternative focuses on the idea of being emptied of resources or energy.
totally wiped out
This alternative uses a more emphatic and informal expression to convey extreme exhaustion.
thoroughly enervated
Uses a less common, more formal word to describe feeling weakened and drained of energy.
emotionally drained
Specifies that the exhaustion is emotional rather than physical.
physically exhausted
Specifies that the exhaustion is physical rather than emotional.
running on fumes
This is an idiomatic expression suggesting one is operating with minimal energy reserves.
at the end of my rope
This idiomatic phrase describes being at the limit of one's ability to cope, suggesting emotional and mental exhaustion.
FAQs
How can I use "totally drained" in a sentence?
You can use "totally drained" to describe feeling extremely exhausted, either physically or emotionally. For example: "After the marathon, I felt "totally drained"." or "The constant negativity left me "totally drained"."
What are some alternatives to saying "totally drained"?
Alternatives include "completely exhausted", "utterly fatigued", or "absolutely spent". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.
Is it grammatically correct to say "totally drained"?
Yes, "totally drained" is grammatically correct. "Totally" functions as an adverb modifying the adjective "drained". It is a common and accepted construction in English.
What's the difference between "totally drained" and "slightly drained"?
"Totally drained" implies a complete or near-complete depletion of energy or resources. "Slightly drained" suggests a minor reduction in energy or resources. The key difference is the degree of exhaustion.
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Table of contents
Usage summary
Human-verified examples
Expert writing tips
Linguistic context
Ludwig's wrap-up
Alternative expressions
FAQs
Source & Trust
84%
Authority and reliability
4.5/5
Expert rating
Real-world application tested