totally fluent

USAGE SUMMARY

"totally fluent" is not correct and usable in written English.
It is an informal phrase typically used in spoken English. An example sentence using a phrase that is better suited for written English is "He is fluent in both German and French".

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

"He is totally fluent in English," Jeter told the reporters.

The New York Times

He's totally fluent in French!" Like the presenter, I'm impressed.

The New Yorker

From his slow and heavily accented English, it's clear that the Swedish Mr Svanberg is not totally fluent in the language.

The Economist

She described him as "a mainstream choreographer who is totally fluent and whose idiom, sharp perceptions and humor bear some relationship to the work of Paul Taylor".

The New York Times

I flag down a motorist to warn her that: "Il y a un grand arbre à la route!" Mark tops this later by telling a pharmacist he needs decongestants: "Mon nez est fermé!" Frank, totally fluent, thinks it's funnier not to help out at all.

The Guardian - Travel

It was not a totally fluent performance, but it brought three points that moved United within two of sixth-placed Everton and made them the first team to win 1,000 points at home in the Premier League.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

For these books all speak fluent human.

Independent

All were fluent English speakers.

Brain

"At the time, I was obsessed with a book called 'Minimal London' and I wanted our house to be totally minimal," Ms. Spadafora said in fluent English, learned while living for more than a decade in the United States.

The New York Times

All of them speak fluent English.

The Economist

(Nyad is fluent in all but German).

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "completely fluent" or "fully fluent" instead of "totally fluent".

Common error

Avoid relying on informal intensifiers like "totally" in professional or academic contexts. Opt for more neutral alternatives to maintain a polished tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally fluent" functions as a modifier, specifically an adjective phrase, describing the extent of someone's proficiency in a language or skill. However, Ludwig AI identifies it as unsuitable for formal writing.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

While "totally fluent" is understandable and used in spoken English, Ludwig AI flags it as inappropriate for formal written contexts. It functions as an adjective phrase to emphasize fluency. The examples in Ludwig come predominantly from news and media sources, but its rarity and informal tone suggest opting for alternatives such as "completely fluent" or "fully fluent" in professional settings. Avoid it in formal writing to maintain a polished and professional image.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely fluent

Uses "completely" instead of "totally", providing a standard and widely accepted alternative.

fully fluent

Uses "fully" instead of "totally", a more common and versatile alternative.

entirely fluent

Replaces "totally" with "entirely", offering a slightly more formal tone.

wholly fluent

Substitutes "totally" with "wholly", which provides a similar meaning but may sound slightly archaic.

perfectly fluent

Replaces "totally" with "perfectly", emphasizing the high degree of fluency.

utterly fluent

Replaces "totally" with "utterly", creating a more emphatic tone.

highly fluent

Emphasizes the advanced level of fluency.

exceptionally fluent

Highlights an extraordinary level of fluency.

remarkably fluent

Stresses the noticeable and impressive fluency.

unquestionably fluent

Indicates that the fluency is beyond doubt.

FAQs

What are some alternatives to "totally fluent" in formal writing?

For formal contexts, consider using alternatives such as "completely fluent", "fully fluent", or "entirely fluent".

Is "totally fluent" grammatically incorrect?

While not strictly grammatically incorrect, "totally fluent" is considered informal and may not be appropriate for all writing contexts.

In what situations is it okay to use "totally fluent"?

"Totally fluent" is best suited for casual conversations or informal writing where a relaxed tone is acceptable.

How can I emphasize fluency without using "totally fluent"?

You can emphasize fluency by using phrases like "highly fluent", "exceptionally fluent", or describing the specific skills the person possesses.