totally unlike

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally unlike" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize a complete difference or dissimilarity between two things or concepts. Example: "The two paintings are totally unlike each other, showcasing different styles and techniques."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Porcelain was a most unlikely invention: totally unlike standard pottery, it achieves its amazing toughness and bone-like translucency through an unlikely combination of white clay, feldspar and quartz heated to 1,200C.

The Guardian - Books

"Totally unlike me," she said.

The New York Times

Interviewing tennis players is not totally unlike playing against them.

The Guardian - Sport

Vanessa Henman is both like me and totally unlike me.

The Guardian - Books

The walls aslo induce a curious viscous lateral migration totally unlike that observed in Couette flow.

Chemical Engineering Science

It is a unique problem, totally unlike any other area in the UK.

Independent

It's not totally unlike a Ryan Trecartin video piece, albeit less manic and more immediately legible.

The New York Times - Arts

For Eriksson, the trials were totally unlike anything he had anticipated.

The New Yorker

Ransom finds that Perelandra is totally unlike Malacandra or Thulcandra (Earth).

Encyclopedia Britannica

So totally unlike a robot who has somehow cyrogenically frozen her face.

The Guardian - Film

Little Face, the resulting book, was totally unlike her previous novels.

The Guardian - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally unlike" to clearly emphasize a complete difference, avoiding ambiguity. It's most effective when contrasting two distinct subjects.

Common error

Avoid using "totally unlike" when the difference is slight or nuanced. Opt for alternatives like "slightly different" or "somewhat dissimilar" to maintain accuracy and avoid exaggeration.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally unlike" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase, modifying a noun or pronoun to express a complete lack of similarity. As Ludwig AI confirms, it's used to highlight distinct differences. Examples from Ludwig showcase its use in various contexts, emphasizing stark contrasts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

52%

Encyclopedias

21%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Science

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "totally unlike" is a commonly used and grammatically sound phrase that emphasizes a complete lack of similarity between two things. As Ludwig AI states, it is correct and usable in written English. It appears frequently in news, encyclopedias and academic contexts. While alternatives like ""completely dissimilar"" and "entirely different" exist, "totally unlike" is effective for highlighting stark contrasts. Avoid overusing it in situations where the difference is subtle. Ensure its use accurately reflects a significant dissimilarity for clear and impactful writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely dissimilar

Emphasizes the absence of similarity to a great extent.

entirely different

Highlights a complete divergence or distinction.

altogether distinct

Stresses the separateness and uniqueness.

poles apart

Suggests the two things are at opposite extremes.

bears no resemblance to

Indicates a lack of any likeness.

a world apart

Implies that things are so different they exist in separate realms.

nothing like

Expresses a strong negation of similarity.

dissimilar in every respect

Highlights a complete lack of similarity from every angle.

as different as night and day

Uses a common idiom to illustrate extreme difference.

unrelated to

States that there is no connection or link between two things.

FAQs

What does "totally unlike" mean?

The phrase "totally unlike" means completely different or dissimilar. It emphasizes that there is no resemblance between two things being compared.

How to use "totally unlike" in a sentence?

You can use "totally unlike" to emphasize a stark contrast. For example: "Her new hairstyle is "completely dissimilar" to her previous one; it's "totally unlike" anything she's had before."

What can I say instead of "totally unlike"?

You can use alternatives like ""completely dissimilar"", "entirely different", or "bears no resemblance to" depending on the context.

Is it correct to say "totally unlike with"?

No, the correct phrasing is "totally unlike". The preposition "with" is unnecessary and grammatically incorrect in this context. You would say something is "totally unlike" something else.