totally makes sense

USAGE SUMMARY

"totally makes sense" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when you agree with someone's opinion or reasoning and want to emphasize that it is correct and understandable. For example: "Yes, that explanation of the math problem totally makes sense."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

Yes? AUDIENCE: It totally makes sense.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

However it's sold, though, it totally makes sense.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

"People had their concerns, and that totally makes sense.

The Guardian - Tech

"And the whole father and son relationship thing totally makes sense," Mr. Dietl said.

The New York Times

Now, when I'm asked for someone to play my brother, it totally makes sense".

The New York Times

"Fourth Avenue is an area where new apartment-house construction totally makes sense," said Regina Myer, director of the Brooklyn office of the Department of City Planning.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

20 human-written examples

That holiday pairing would totally make sense.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

While this formal device provides an interesting subtext for the actors to play with, it doesn't totally make sense.

The New York Times

That would totally make sense, and not really cause any of the previously mentioned headaches.

TechCrunch

While it would have totally made sense to do so from a background perspective, neither publication did it.

TechCrunch

Mariano, 28, says: "We picked Lisbon as our first city as it totally made sense to stay [and open headquarters here].

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider the audience and context when using "totally makes sense". While widely accepted, in certain professional settings, alternatives like "completely understandable" or "entirely logical" might be more appropriate.

Common error

While "totally makes sense" is acceptable in many situations, be cautious of using it excessively in formal reports or presentations. Opt for more sophisticated synonyms like "logically sound" or "perfectly justifiable" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally makes sense" primarily functions as an idiomatic expression of agreement and comprehension. It's used to indicate that something is not only understandable but also logical and acceptable. As Ludwig AI points out, it signals a strong affirmation of someone's reasoning or a situation's outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Academia

15%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

"Totally makes sense" is a common phrase used to express strong agreement and understanding. Analysis of its usage across various sources, as indicated by Ludwig, reveals that it is grammatically correct and widely accepted in both spoken and written English. While suitable for a variety of contexts, including news media and casual conversation, it may be less appropriate for highly formal or scientific writing. Alternatives such as "completely understandable" or "entirely logical" may be more suitable in such cases. The phrase is frequently found in News & Media and Academia, indicating its broad applicability. In conclusion, "totally makes sense" is a versatile expression for conveying affirmation and comprehension, as confirmed by Ludwig AI's analysis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

makes perfect sense

Similar in meaning, but uses "perfect" instead of "totally" for a slightly different emphasis.

completely understandable

Emphasizes comprehensibility, focusing on the ease with which something can be understood.

perfectly clear

Highlights the lack of ambiguity, suggesting that something is straightforward and unambiguous.

entirely logical

Stresses the rationality of something, implying that it aligns with reason and good judgment.

absolutely right

Expresses strong agreement, confirming that something is accurate or correct.

that rings true

Suggests authenticity or credibility, indicating that something feels genuine and believable.

that checks out

Indicates verification, confirming that something has been validated or proven to be correct.

I see your point

Acknowledges understanding of another person's perspective or argument.

I understand completely

Emphasizes full comprehension of something, indicating a thorough understanding.

that's perfectly reasonable

Focuses on the acceptability of something, suggesting that it is fair and justifiable.

FAQs

How can I use "totally makes sense" in a sentence?

You can use "totally makes sense" to express your agreement with an idea or understanding of a situation. For example: "Given the circumstances, that decision "totally makes sense"."

What are some alternatives to "totally makes sense"?

Alternatives include "completely understandable", "perfectly clear", or "entirely logical", depending on the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "totally makes sense" in formal writing?

While acceptable in semi-formal settings, it's generally better to use more formal alternatives like "logically sound" or "perfectly justifiable" in formal writing.

What's the difference between "totally makes sense" and "makes sense"?

Adding "totally" emphasizes the strength of your agreement or understanding. "Makes sense" simply indicates that something is understandable, while "totally makes sense" conveys stronger conviction.