utterly and completely

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase 'utterly and completely' is perfectly suitable for written English.
You can use it to emphasize the degree to which something is true or to emphasize the intensity of something. For example, "He was utterly and completely exhausted after his long day of work."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

I am utterly and completely disgraced".

The New York Times

He misses and is castled utterly and completely.

The Guardian

We were just utterly and completely fed up with post-war, post-Empire, post-Beatles Britain.

The New York Times

This black woman who stood 5 feet tall was utterly and completely fearless.

The Washington Post

He believed it was "utterly and completely credible" that the hair had been Brontë's.

The Guardian - Books

Utterly and completely disgusted with my country and what they have done to my future.

The Guardian

She wouldn't get angry about them; she would regard them as utterly and completely absurd".

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

4 human-written examples

He is at once utterly trapped and completely at liberty.

The New York Times

They are always here, utterly familiar and completely unknown.

The New York Times

"Her comments about grammar schools are utterly, totally and completely untrue".

The Guardian

It's both utterly charming and completely mad – a winning combination if ever there was one.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly and completely" to add emphasis when you want to strongly convey the thoroughness or totality of something. For example, "The project was "utterly and completely" dependent on external funding."

Common error

While "utterly and completely" is acceptable, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive or less sophisticated. Consider replacing it with stronger verbs or more precise adjectives for impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly and completely" functions as an intensifier, adding emphasis to a statement. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's used to stress the totality or degree of something. The examples show it modifying verbs, adjectives, and even entire clauses.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Academia

25%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Science

3%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly and completely" serves as a robust intensifier, lending considerable emphasis to statements across various contexts. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is grammatically correct and functions to highlight the totality or extent of a given condition or action. Predominantly found in News & Media and Academia sources, the phrase enjoys wide acceptance and understanding. While synonyms such as "totally and completely" or "absolutely and completely" exist, the specific choice depends on the desired nuance. Use "utterly and completely" judiciously to avoid redundancy in your writing and ensure impactful communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

totally and completely

Similar in emphasis, but replaces "utterly" with "totally", which can sometimes sound slightly less formal.

wholly and completely

Uses "wholly" instead of "utterly", suggesting a sense of the entirety of something.

absolutely and completely

Replaces "utterly" with "absolutely" to convey a slightly stronger affirmation.

entirely and completely

Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of something, using "entirely" as an alternative.

fully and completely

Suggests that something is done or understood in its full capacity.

thoroughly and completely

Highlights the exhaustive nature of something, implying a detailed approach.

unreservedly and completely

Adds a sense of openness and lack of hesitation.

in every respect

Shifts to a different structure, focusing on all aspects of something.

without reservation

Emphasizes the absence of any doubt or hesitation.

to the fullest extent

Highlights the maximum degree or limit of something.

FAQs

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

Use "utterly and completely" to emphasize the degree or extent of something. For example, "The plan failed "totally and completely"", or "She was "absolutely and completely" wrong about her assumptions".

What can I say instead of "utterly and completely"?

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

Is it redundant to say "utterly and completely"?

While both words have similar meanings, using them together intensifies the emphasis. Whether it's redundant depends on the desired effect; sometimes, the extra emphasis is appropriate.

What is the difference between "utterly" and "completely"?

"Utterly" implies a greater degree of thoroughness or intensity than "completely". Using them together as "utterly and completely" amplifies this sense of totality.