truly and utterly

USAGE SUMMARY

"truly and utterly" is correct and is used in written English.
It is used to emphasize the degree or intensity of something, usually to emphasize its total or absolute nature. For example, "Joel was truly and utterly disappointed in his exam results."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

11 human-written examples

But Billy truly and utterly isn't.

The Guardian - Film

My only fear that my once beloved UK will be truly and utterly broken after Brexit.

The Guardian

But this is where I am truly and utterly from.

Vice

I suppose that makes him truly and utterly Republican, too.

Huffington Post

You need to convince them truly and utterly that you should be their next hire.

Huffington Post

And looking back, I realize how truly and utterly blessed we were that his stay was only that short.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

49 human-written examples

Audience reaction was truly amazing and utterly humbling.

The Guardian

As I hope to demonstrate, the divergent response to the inequity of women in the West and the suffering of women through much of the Muslim world are both truly consequential and utterly astonishing.

Huffington Post

The Polar Express opened against the second weekend of The Incredibles in November 2004, but played the rest of the year, helped by buzz regarding its truly astonishing and utterly groundbreaking 3D IMAX presentation.

Huffington Post

He gave me the experience of being deeply understood, truly supported and completely and utterly loved – and I will carry that with me always.

Independent

Truly wonderful to behold and utterly believable-in, they are manipulated by the same actors who swirl doors, desks, swings, etc around the stage, under Candice Edmunds and Jamie Harrison's adroit direction (Harrison also designs).

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "truly and utterly" to amplify the intensity of an adjective or verb, ensuring that the context warrants such strong emphasis. Overuse can diminish its impact, so reserve it for situations where you want to express a profound degree of something.

Common error

Avoid using "truly and utterly" in contexts where a simpler intensifier would suffice. Overusing the phrase can make your writing sound hyperbolic or insincere. Opt for more moderate language when the situation doesn't require extreme emphasis.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "truly and utterly" functions as an intensifier, modifying adjectives or adverbs to heighten their impact. As Ludwig AI confirms, it adds emphasis and expresses a total or absolute nature. For example, "truly and utterly blessed" amplifies the feeling of being blessed.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Wiki

20%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Science

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "truly and utterly" is a valid and impactful phrase used to add emphasis to statements. As Ludwig AI points out, its primary function is to intensify the meaning of the words it modifies. While grammatically correct and widely understood, it should be used judiciously to avoid sounding hyperbolic. Examples from Ludwig show it frequently appears in news and media sources, emphasizing its usage in conveying strong feelings or convictions. Alternatives like "absolutely and completely" or "genuinely and completely" can be considered for subtle variations in tone. Understanding the appropriate context and register is crucial to effectively incorporating "truly and utterly" into your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely and completely

Replaces "utterly" with "completely", maintaining a strong sense of totality and thoroughness.

completely and totally

Swaps the order and uses "totally" in place of "utterly", offering a very similar level of emphasis.

entirely and utterly

Emphasizes the full extent without any qualification.

genuinely and completely

Substitutes "truly" with "genuinely", shifting the emphasis to authenticity alongside completeness.

sincerely and utterly

Replaces "truly" with "sincerely", highlighting the honest and earnest nature of the statement.

undeniably and completely

Highlights the indisputable nature of the statement combined with thoroughness.

absolutely and unequivocally

Emphasizes the lack of doubt or reservation, making the statement assertive.

thoroughly and completely

Highlights the exhaustive nature of the action or state being described.

wholly and completely

Stresses the entire or full extent of something.

positively and utterly

Emphasizes certainty and a complete state.

FAQs

How can I use "truly and utterly" in a sentence?

You can use "truly and utterly" to intensify the meaning of a following adjective or adverb. For example, "He was "truly and utterly devastated" by the news" or "The project was "truly and utterly successful"".

What are some alternatives to "truly and utterly"?

Alternatives include "absolutely and completely", "completely and totally", or "genuinely and completely". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to use both "truly" and "utterly" together?

While both words individually convey a high degree of certainty or completeness, using them together amplifies the emphasis. It's not strictly redundant if the intention is to create a stronger impact.

When is it appropriate to use "truly and utterly" in writing?

It is appropriate when you want to strongly emphasize a particular quality or state. However, reserve it for situations where the intensity is genuine to avoid sounding exaggerated. Be mindful of your audience and the overall tone of your writing.