utterly said

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly said" is not correct and does not convey a clear meaning in written English.
It is not a standard expression and may confuse readers, as "utterly" typically modifies adjectives or verbs rather than the past participle "said." Example: "What he said was utterly confusing, leaving everyone in the room puzzled."

⚠ May contain grammatical issues

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

But, she adds, "The most reliable opinion is that it was completely and utterly said in jest".

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

"Completely and utterly," says Stephen. "What a wonderful thing to learn.

Vice

"This place is utterly, utterly devastated," said Grim of the impact the economy has had on the state's workforce.

Huffington Post

"The job is utterly relentless," said Blair….

The New Yorker

"Thank you so much, this is utterly thrilling," said Moffat.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

"Oh completely and utterly," he said.

The Guardian - Business

"I'm utterly speechless," said Sotherton.

The Guardian - Sport

Corporations "have taken Thanksgiving utterly!" Talen said.

The Guardian - Business

"It is utterly ridiculous," said Mr. Abrams, a co-president of Alternative Marketing Solutions, which helps publicize films.

The New York Times

"The College Board figures are depressing and utterly predictable," said Terry Hartle, senior vice president of the American Council on Education.

The New York Times

"This is utterly insufficient," said a spokesman for Save the Children.

Independent

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for emphasis, use adverbs that correctly modify adjectives or verbs. For instance, replace "utterly said" with phrases like "completely stated" or "absolutely affirmed" to maintain grammatical accuracy.

Common error

Avoid using adverbs like "utterly" directly before past participles such as "said" when you intend to modify the manner of speaking. Instead, choose a different phrasing that correctly uses the adverb to modify the intended adjective or verb.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly said" functions as an attempt to emphasize the manner or extent of a statement. However, according to Ludwig AI, this phrase is not grammatically correct as "utterly" should modify adjectives or verbs, not past participles.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly said" is grammatically incorrect, as stated by Ludwig AI, because "utterly" should modify adjectives or verbs, not past participles. Its intended purpose is to emphasize the manner of a statement, but this is not achieved due to grammatical issues. While the examples provided by Ludwig come from news media, suggesting a neutral register, the incorrect grammar makes its use inappropriate. Instead, consider using phrases like "completely stated" or "absolutely affirmed" for accurate and emphatic communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Completely expressed

Focuses on the thoroughness of the expression, replacing the adverb with a more direct modifier.

Totally articulated

Highlights the clarity and detail in the way something was communicated.

Fully stated

Emphasizes the completeness of the statement, ensuring no part was left out.

Unequivocally declared

Conveys a sense of certainty and decisiveness in the declaration.

Resoundingly affirmed

Suggests a strong and clear confirmation or agreement.

Emphatically voiced

Highlights the force and passion with which something was said.

Clearly communicated

Focuses on the effectiveness and clarity of the message delivery.

Definitively asserted

Implies a firm and authoritative declaration.

Absolutely confirmed

Stresses the unquestionable nature of the confirmation.

Positively conveyed

Emphasizes the certain and affirmative manner in which something was communicated.

FAQs

Is "utterly said" grammatically correct?

No, the phrase "utterly said" is not considered grammatically correct. "Utterly" typically modifies adjectives or verbs, not past participles. A more appropriate phrasing would be "completely stated" or "absolutely affirmed".

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

Use "utterly" to modify adjectives or verbs. For example, "The movie was "utterly boring"" or "He was "utterly defeated" by the news".

What are some alternatives to "utterly said"?

Instead of "utterly said", consider using phrases like "completely expressed", "totally articulated", or "fully stated".

What does "utterly" mean and how does it change the meaning of a phrase?

"Utterly" means completely or absolutely. It intensifies the meaning of the word it modifies. For example, "utterly ridiculous" means completely ridiculous.