totally work

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "totally work" is not correct in standard written English.
It may be intended to convey that something will definitely function or be effective, but it lacks proper grammatical structure. Example: "I believe this new strategy will totally work for our team."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Lifestyle

Money

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

27 human-written examples

But they totally work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

A tunic, wide-legged trousers and trainers would totally work.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

As such, they totally work with this season Gucci.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Sometimes people are miscast, and sometimes they just don't totally work in the part.

The New York Times

And she can totally work her current Billy Idol-esque hairstyle.

The Guardian - Film

"To end up with someone you love and can totally work with so well is a blessing".

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

33 human-written examples

And it totally works.

The New York Times

Totally working it.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

It totally works".

The New York Times

The plan had totally worked.

The New York Times

Amazing stuff – which totally works.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "totally work" in informal contexts like casual conversations or blog posts where a less formal tone is appropriate.

Common error

Avoid using "totally work" in academic papers or professional reports; its informality can undermine your credibility. Opt for more precise and grammatically accepted phrases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "totally work" primarily functions as an adverbial modifier enhancing the verb "work". Although Ludwig AI indicates it is not correct in standard written English, it expresses a strong affirmation that something will be effective or successful.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

46%

Lifestyle

19%

Wiki

5%

Less common in

Formal & Business

11%

Tech

11%

Money

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, while the phrase "totally work" is frequently used to express confidence in informal communication, Ludwig AI analysis suggests it's grammatically incorrect in formal settings. It is primarily found in News & Media and Lifestyle contexts, and while its meaning is clear, it's advisable to use more grammatically sound alternatives like "completely work" or "definitely work" in professional or academic writing to maintain credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely work

Replaces "totally" with "completely", offering a more formal and grammatically standard adverb.

absolutely work

Substitutes "totally" with "absolutely", enhancing the certainty and conforming to conventional grammar.

definitely work

Replaces "totally" with "definitely", providing a grammatically sound alternative with similar emphasis.

certainly work

Substitutes "totally" with "certainly", keeping the emphasis while adhering to standard grammatical rules.

undoubtedly work

Replaces "totally" with "undoubtedly", giving a stronger sense of certainty and correctness.

effectively function

Replaces the entire phrase with a more descriptive and formal alternative that emphasizes functionality.

prove effective

Offers a more formal and verifiable expression of efficacy.

operate successfully

Provides a more detailed and professional way of saying something will work.

yield results

Shifts the focus to outcomes, indicating that something will produce the desired effects.

be feasible

Changes the focus to possibility and practicality, presenting a more analytical viewpoint.

FAQs

Is it grammatically correct to say "totally work"?

While "totally work" is commonly used in informal speech, it is grammatically questionable in formal writing. Consider using alternatives like "completely work" or "definitely work" for better grammatical precision.

What are some alternatives to "totally work" in a professional setting?

In a professional environment, use phrases such as "effectively function", "operate successfully", or "prove effective" to maintain a formal tone.

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

You can use "totally work" in informal sentences like, "I think this plan will totally work". However, be mindful of your audience and the context in which you're using it.

What's the difference between "totally work" and "completely work"?

Both phrases express that something will be effective. However, "completely work" is more grammatically accepted in formal settings, while "totally work" is generally reserved for informal conversations.