totally sorry

USAGE SUMMARY

"totally sorry" is correct and usable in written English.
It is an expression that can be used to convey sincere regret or apology. For example: "I am totally sorry for not doing what I said I would."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is hard to feel totally sorry for them.

The Economist

The facts: The strategy isn't totally (sorry!) fruity.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

He also said that he would totally braid Cher's hair if she let him and made this face, so that kind of negates the whole "sorry for acting totally obsessed, Cher".

Huffington Post

He is totally content – sorry to talk about you in the third person, Neil".

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"I totally agree, sorry," Glassman tells Brown.

Huffington Post

Oh, we should mention that although it's about fucking, it's totally SFW (sorry).

Vice

P.M.S.: Sorry, sorry, sorry!

The New Yorker

Sorry sorry sorry.

The New Yorker

Sorry, sorry, sorry!

BBC

Sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry sorry.

HuffPost

The volunteers ranged in age from 5 to 65, and from being totally toned to sorry physical specimens.

The New York Times - Travel

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally sorry" to convey a strong and genuine sense of regret, especially in informal contexts. However, consider the audience and situation, as it might be perceived as less formal than "sincerely sorry" in certain professional settings.

Common error

Avoid using "totally sorry" in highly formal or professional contexts, such as legal documents or formal presentations. Opt for phrases like "sincerely apologize" or "deeply regret" to maintain a professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "totally sorry" is to express a heightened degree of apology or regret. The adverb "totally" intensifies the adjective "sorry", conveying a stronger feeling of remorse. Ludwig AI also confirms this usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

95%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

1%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally sorry" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase to express a strong sense of regret or apology. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's widely employed across various online sources, primarily news and media outlets. While "totally sorry" is generally acceptable in neutral contexts, it's advisable to consider using more formal alternatives, such as "sincerely apologize" or "deeply regret", in professional or formal settings. Remember to use it to convey genuine remorse and aim for reconciliation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

wholeheartedly sorry

Emphasizes the completeness and sincerity of the regret.

really sorry

A simpler and more common way to express regret.

utterly sorry

Conveys a strong sense of remorse, emphasizing the depth of regret.

absolutely sorry

Highlights the certainty and genuineness of the apology.

extremely sorry

Indicates a high degree of regret or sympathy.

very sorry

A common and versatile way to express regret or sympathy.

deeply sorry

Highlights the intensity of feeling regret.

sincerely sorry

Emphasizes the honesty and genuineness of the apology.

genuinely sorry

Stresses the authenticity of the regret.

terribly sorry

Expresses a strong feeling of regret or sympathy for a situation or event.

FAQs

What does "totally sorry" mean?

The phrase "totally sorry" means that someone feels very apologetic or expresses deep regret about something they have done or said.

When is it appropriate to use "totally sorry"?

It's suitable to use "totally sorry" in informal situations where you want to convey strong regret. However, in formal contexts, consider using more professional alternatives like "sincerely apologize" or "deeply regret".

What can I say instead of "totally sorry"?

You can use alternatives like "really sorry", "extremely sorry", or "sincerely sorry" depending on the context.

Is "totally sorry" grammatically correct?

Yes, "totally sorry" is grammatically correct. "Totally" is an adverb modifying the adjective "sorry", indicating the degree to which someone is feeling apologetic.