totally unexpectedly

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally unexpectedly" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe an event or situation that occurs without any prior indication or anticipation. Example: "She arrived at the party totally unexpectedly, catching everyone by surprise."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

9 human-written examples

From January through December 2006, a total of 1305 patients had died, of which 37% suddenly and totally unexpectedly.

BMC Palliative Care

Over the next three weeks he would, totally unexpectedly, hit seven more.

BBC

Then, suddenly and totally unexpectedly, the situation was transformed by the invention of the Electromagnetic Pulse Bomb.

Forbes

At the pulpit on the day of his execution, he opened with a prayer and an exhortation to obey the king and queen, but he ended his sermon totally unexpectedly, deviating from the prepared script.

Wikipedia

This was also just before buying magic mushrooms became illegal, and, totally unexpectedly, I turned up on the night and there was this middle-aged hippy with a table, selling mushrooms on the night which was weird.

Vice

This was also just before buying magic mushrooms became illegal, and, totally unexpectedly, I turned up on the night and there was this middle-aged hippy with a table, selling mushrooms on the night – which was weird.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

On Monday, the chairwoman of the Senate intelligence committee, Dianne Feinstein, unexpectedly declared herself "totally opposed" to the NSA spying on leaders of US-allied countries.

The Guardian

But totally ill-conceived, gnocchi di castagne, or chestnuts, arrived unexpectedly brown and, more important, leaden.

The New York Times

Protein A Streamline chromatography was successfully used in the purification process yielding a recovery of about 60% and a plantibody SDS PAGE purity of over 90% but unexpectedly, previous clarification steps could not be totally avoided.

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Which is a shame, because rhubarb can be a truly interesting ingredient — deliciously sour, unexpectedly smooth, beautifully pale pink on the plate, and totally seasonal.

The New York Times

"Success is sweetest when it arrives unexpectedly, hasn't required you to make artistic sacrifices, and is totally fortuitous.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

To enhance clarity, consider pairing "totally unexpectedly" with specific details that emphasize the unforeseen nature of the event or situation. For example, "The stock market crashed totally unexpectedly, wiping out billions of dollars."

Common error

Avoid using "totally unexpectedly" in highly formal or academic writing, as it can sound informal. Opt for more neutral alternatives like "entirely unanticipated" or "completely unforeseen" in such contexts.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally unexpectedly" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the manner in which an action occurred. It emphasizes the surprise or lack of anticipation associated with the event. The phrase is considered correct and usable in written English according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally unexpectedly" is a grammatically sound and usable adverbial phrase that emphasizes the unforeseen nature of an event. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and provides examples from various sources, including news outlets, scientific publications, and general media. While considered neutral in register, it's most effective in contexts where highlighting the element of surprise is crucial. Alternative phrases like "completely out of the blue" or "entirely unanticipated" can offer nuanced variations in meaning. While not as common as other similar phrases, "totally unexpectedly" is a valuable addition to one's vocabulary for describing surprising occurrences.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely unanticipated

Emphasizes the lack of prior expectation or preparation for the event.

altogether unforeseen

Stresses that the event was impossible to predict or anticipate.

utterly unpredicted

Focuses on the absence of any prior indication or forecast of the event.

in an entirely unpredicted way

Highlights absence of prediction, more direct than QUERY.

completely out of the blue

Uses a more idiomatic expression to highlight the sudden and surprising nature of the event.

absolutely unheralded

Stresses the complete lack of prior announcement or indication.

in a completely unlooked-for manner

Uses a more formal and elaborate way to describe the unexpected occurrence.

quite surprisingly

Highlights the element of surprise associated with the event.

totally without precedent

Emphasizes uniqueness of an event. It is not only unexpected, but also has no previous similar occurrence.

without any warning

Highlights the lack of advance notice or preparation for the event.

FAQs

How can I use "totally unexpectedly" in a sentence?

You can use "totally unexpectedly" to describe something that happens without any prior warning or anticipation. For example: "She arrived "totally unexpectedly", surprising everyone at the meeting."

What can I say instead of "totally unexpectedly"?

You can use alternatives such as "completely out of the blue", "entirely unanticipated", or "quite surprisingly" depending on the context.

Which is correct, "totally unexpectedly" or "completely unexpectedly"?

Both "totally unexpectedly" and "completely unexpectedly" are grammatically correct and convey a similar meaning. The choice between them often depends on personal preference or the desired tone of the writing.

What's the difference between "unexpectedly" and "totally unexpectedly"?

"Unexpectedly" simply means that something was not expected. "Totally unexpectedly" emphasizes the complete lack of anticipation or warning, making the event even more surprising.