utterly precious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly precious" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to express a strong sentiment of affection or value towards something or someone that is considered extremely dear or valuable. Example: "The little girl's laughter was utterly precious, bringing joy to everyone around her."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

2 human-written examples

All of them, the film assures us, are utterly precious and deserving of miracles.

The Guardian - Film

At the time, I could not work out whether Wiggins' entourage was being utterly precious or utterly reasonable.

BBC

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

In Chapter 6 Hitchens recalls being a foreign correspondent in the Soviet Union and a trip to Mogadishu, and how these experiences convinced him that, "his own civilisation was infinitely precious and utterly vulnerable".

Wikipedia

It is utterly silent, the kind of precious outdoor quiet that may one day require handsome sums of money to experience.

Forbes

The feathered cloche or semi-precious collier that both look utterly contemporary.

Huffington Post

Only the utterly unwise would pass on the company's super-safe precious metals investments, the telemarketers claimed.

Huffington Post

(Dargis) 'The Paperboy' (R, 1 46) In the hands of Lee Daniels ("Precious"), Pete Dexter's Southern potboiler becomes a hot mess of pulpy passion, utterly incoherent but crazily alive.

The New York Times

(Holden) 'The Paperboy' (R, 1 46) In the hands of Lee Daniels ("Precious"), Pete Dexter's Southern potboiler becomes a hot mess of pulpy passion, utterly incoherent but crazily alive.

The New York Times

When you are completely and utterly overwhelmed with your circumstances, someone stepping in to find out answers and solutions is an absolute precious gift.

Huffington Post

In one extraordinary act of communication, the concept of a "separate self", so precious to our contemporary sense of identity, is undermined to the point that it becomes, for McIntyre, utterly illusory.

The Guardian

Similarly, to those who see De Botton as a precious philosopher with little connection to the real world, again, you should brace yourselves for your opinions to remain utterly unchanged.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "utterly precious", consider the emotional weight you want to convey. It's best suited for situations where something holds deep personal or sentimental value.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly precious" in formal or professional writing. It can sound overly sentimental or insincere. Opt for more neutral terms like "highly valued" or "essential" depending on the context.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly precious" functions as an adverbial intensifier modifying an adjective. 'Utterly' intensifies the adjective 'precious', indicating a very high degree of value or endearment. As Ludwig AI confirms, the expression is perfectly valid and suitable for use in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

66%

Wiki

33%

Science

0%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "utterly precious" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that functions as an adverb modifying an adjective, primarily used to express a strong sense of affection or value. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While its usage is relatively rare, it is most commonly found in news and media contexts. Due to its somewhat sentimental nature, it's best reserved for informal or creative writing rather than formal or professional settings. Remember to consider the emotional weight the phrase conveys and avoid overusing it in inappropriate contexts. Consider alternatives like "completely invaluable" or "deeply treasured" depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely priceless

Substitutes 'precious' with 'priceless', highlighting the irreplaceability of something. 'Utterly' is replaced with 'absolutely', providing a slightly stronger emphasis.

completely invaluable

Replaces 'precious' with 'invaluable', emphasizing monetary or practical worth rather than emotional value. The adverb 'utterly' is substituted with 'completely'.

deeply treasured

Emphasizes the act of treasuring something, focusing on its sentimental importance. 'Utterly' is substituted with 'deeply'.

thoroughly cherished

Replaces 'precious' with 'cherished', focusing on the emotional value and care given to something. 'Utterly' is changed to 'thoroughly'.

genuinely irreplaceable

Highlights the unique and impossible-to-replace nature of something. 'Precious' is substituted with 'irreplaceable' and 'utterly' with 'genuinely'.

exceptionally dear

Focuses on the fondness and affection associated with something, replacing 'precious' with 'dear' and 'utterly' with 'exceptionally'.

wholly beloved

Shifts the focus to being loved, instead of valued. 'Utterly' changes to 'wholly'.

singularly invaluable

Focuses on the uniqueness and high value of something. Replaces 'utterly' with 'singularly' and 'precious' with 'invaluable'.

entirely exquisite

Replaces both 'utterly' and 'precious' focusing on the beauty and delicate nature of something.

remarkably significant

Shifts the emphasis to the importance and meaning of something rather than its sentimental value. Replaces 'utterly' with 'remarkably'.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly precious" to describe something that is extremely valuable or dear to you. For example, "The old photograph was utterly precious to her, as it was the only memory she had of her grandmother."

What are some alternatives to "utterly precious"?

Some alternatives to "utterly precious" include "completely invaluable", "absolutely priceless", or "deeply treasured". The best choice depends on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "utterly precious" in formal writing?

While grammatically correct, "utterly precious" is often considered too sentimental for formal writing. In such contexts, consider using more neutral alternatives like "highly valued" or "essential".

What does "utterly precious" emphasize compared to just "precious"?

Adding "utterly" intensifies the sentiment of "precious". It emphasizes that something is not just valuable, but extremely and completely so. It adds a layer of depth and emotion to the description.