utterly against

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly against" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express strong opposition or disagreement with something. Example: "She is utterly against the proposed changes to the policy."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

Not only is the legislation utterly against WTO rules, it would cause havoc for the American economy.

The Economist

What I'm utterly against is some centralised list which is supposed to be the government's view or the state's view.

The Guardian

Nicholas D. Kristof writes that workers who vote against their economic interests are voting "utterly against their own interests".

The New York Times

I had one chap at the gate one day who said he was completely and utterly against me doing the job.

The Guardian - Money

Nicholas D. Kristof writes about "the millions of farmers, factory workers and waitresses who ended up voting -- utterly against their own interests -- for Republican candidates".

The New York Times

In 1937 he wrote of there being "two antagonistic nations living side by side in India", an idea that relies on using religion as the defining characteristic of any Indian, one utterly against the secular constitution of India.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

Darryl Strawberry is drawn here, utterly defenseless against his worst impulses.

The New York Times - Magazine

He had been utterly helpless against left-handers, producing a.152/.188/.174 line over 46 at-bats.

The New York Times

The on-deck hitter, Luis Castillo, had looked utterly helpless against Mussina's knuckle curve, striking out twice.

The New York Times - Sports

His promise not to interfere in abortion law if elected is utterly meaningless against the backdrop of his past actions.

The Guardian - Opinion

Together with the outside-half Daniel Carter, another man heading towards Test retirement at a rate of knots, he was utterly relentless against the Boks at the weekend.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly against" when you want to express a complete and strong disagreement or opposition to something. It's particularly effective when emphasizing the degree of your disagreement.

Common error

While "utterly against" emphasizes strong opposition, avoid overusing such intensifiers in your writing. Excessive use can weaken your overall message and make your tone seem overly emotional or less credible. Consider varying your language to maintain a balanced and persuasive style.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly against" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying "against", intensifying the expression of opposition. It indicates a complete and unwavering disagreement, as demonstrated in the examples from Ludwig. This emphasizes the strength of the opposition.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

70%

Science

15%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly against" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to convey strong opposition or disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it effectively emphasizes the intensity of one's stance, making it suitable for both formal and informal contexts, particularly in news and media. While there are many alternative phrases, such as "completely opposed to" or "strongly disagree with", "utterly against" remains a potent way to express complete lack of support for something. Be mindful not to overuse such intensifiers to maintain a balanced and persuasive writing style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely opposed to

Replaces "utterly" with "completely" and uses "opposed to" instead of "against", offering a slightly more formal tone.

Strongly disagree with

Substitutes "utterly against" with a more direct expression of disagreement, suitable for various contexts.

Vehemently opposed to

Uses "vehemently" to intensify the opposition, conveying a stronger emotional stance.

Firmly against

Indicates a resolute and unwavering opposition, suitable for formal and informal settings.

Absolutely against

Emphasizes the opposition with "absolutely", suggesting a definitive and uncompromising stance.

Entirely in opposition to

Replaces "utterly" with "entirely" and rephrases "against" for a more elaborate and formal expression.

Wholeheartedly reject

Indicates a complete and enthusiastic rejection of something.

In complete disagreement with

Offers a formal and nuanced way to express strong opposition.

Cannot condone

Expresses a strong disapproval and unwillingness to accept something.

Find unacceptable

Indicates that something is not tolerable or permissible.

FAQs

How can I use "utterly against" in a sentence?

You can use "utterly against" to express strong disagreement or opposition. For example, "I am utterly against the proposed changes to the policy" or "She is utterly against any form of violence".

What phrases are similar to "utterly against"?

Similar phrases include "completely opposed to", "strongly disagree with", or "vehemently opposed to", each conveying a strong sense of disagreement.

Is "utterly against" formal or informal?

"Utterly against" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts, although it's often found in news and media reporting. Its intensity makes it appropriate when a strong expression of opposition is needed.

When should I use "utterly against" instead of "against"?

Use "utterly against" when you want to emphasize the completeness and strength of your opposition. Simply using "against" may not convey the same level of intensity.