utterly draining

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly draining" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is extremely exhausting or depleting, whether physically, mentally, or emotionally. Example: "After a long week of work and personal commitments, I found the weekend to be utterly draining."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

It is both stimulating and utterly draining.

The New York Times - Travel

Alzheimer's is an isolating, terrifying and utterly draining condition for carers, relatives and sufferers.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

58 human-written examples

I feel so utterly drained, utterly relieved," she said.

The Guardian - Sport

An emotional Wilson looked utterly drained at the end.

The Guardian - Sport

Although they worked in teams, the officers' toil left them utterly drained.

The Guardian

Brazil had experienced both and, by the end, they looked utterly drained.

The Guardian - Sport

When he finally speaks, after 40 seconds of silence, he sounds utterly drained.

The Guardian - Music

Nobody had the historical perspective more in mind than Petch who said she was "utterly drained" afterwards.

The Guardian - Sport

"This was post-Ride, post [his next band] Animalhouse, and I was utterly drained by it all.

The Guardian - Music

I've seen childbirth in person three times, and I'm still utterly drained by watching it on TV.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Well, indeed I was, in a way, for I was utterly drained and exhausted, and released, for the first time, from all my guilty torment.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "utterly draining", ensure the context clearly indicates what is causing the exhaustion, whether it's a specific activity, situation, or condition. For example, specify if it's a "utterly draining" project, relationship, or experience.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly draining" as a generic descriptor. Instead, provide detail about why something is so exhausting. For instance, instead of saying "The day was utterly draining", elaborate with "The day, filled with back-to-back meetings and urgent requests, was utterly draining".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly draining" functions as an intensifier followed by an adjective, modifying a noun or pronoun to describe a state of extreme exhaustion or depletion. As Ludwig AI explains, this usage is correct and accepted in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly draining" is used to describe something that is extremely exhausting or depleting. Ludwig AI confirms that this phrase is correct and usable in written English, although it is relatively rare. It's most commonly found in news and media contexts and serves to emphasize the intensity of exhaustion. When using "utterly draining", it's best to provide clear context about what is causing the depletion. While grammatically sound and generally acceptable, be mindful of overuse without specificity.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely exhausting

Replaces "utterly" with "completely", intensifying the level of exhaustion.

totally depleted

Shifts from 'draining' to 'depleted', emphasizing resource exhaustion.

thoroughly enervating

Uses "enervating" to specify the loss of energy and vitality.

absolutely knackered

Employs the informal term "knackered" for a colloquial feel.

extremely fatiguing

Substitutes "draining" with the more formal "fatiguing", indicating weariness.

dreadfully wearying

Emphasizes the heavy burden using "wearying".

intensely consuming

Focuses on the consumption of energy, either physical or mental.

fully sapped

Uses "sapped" to convey a sense of being emptied of energy.

virtually prostrate

Indicates a state of being overpowered and exhausted, close to collapse.

quite washed-out

Implies a faded or weakened state, often due to illness or stress.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly draining" to describe something that is extremely exhausting or depleting. For example: "The experience was "utterly draining", leaving me with no energy." or "Dealing with that customer was "utterly draining" and took a lot out of me."

What are some alternatives to "utterly draining"?

Alternatives to "utterly draining" include "completely exhausting", "totally depleted", or "thoroughly enervating" depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

Is "utterly draining" formal or informal?

"Utterly draining" is generally considered neutral in tone and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although more formal situations might benefit from alternatives like "thoroughly exhausting" or "completely debilitating."

What makes something "utterly draining"?

Something is described as "utterly draining" when it depletes physical, mental, or emotional energy to a significant extent. Examples include high-pressure situations, emotionally taxing interactions, or prolonged periods of intense work.