utterly serious

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly serious" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe a person's or a situation's level of seriousness. Here is an example of how it could be used in a sentence: "The president's speech was met with an air of silence and utter seriousness, as the nation waited to hear his plans for addressing the current crisis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Arts

Books

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

22 human-written examples

One of his strengths is his ability to sound utterly serious when he's saying something preposterous.

The New Yorker

"I don't know how serious they are!." His commitment, however, was utterly serious.

The Guardian - Arts

But once the conversation gets round to classical music, Benjamin is intense, passionate and utterly serious.

The Guardian

McVey is utterly serious in his quest to grow the magazine.

The Guardian

But once again, that was a grave misreading; the government was utterly serious.

The New York Times

The scene was utterly serious, even though it made no sense.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

35 human-written examples

THe issue is "utterly important and serious," she says.

The Guardian

It is hugely daring, utterly irresistible, deeply serious and unlike anything I have ever read.

The New York Times - Books

This deeply serious, utterly hilarious black farce was a runaway international success.

The Guardian

The paper also ran a two-page biography extolling the virtues of the "deadly serious, utterly steely" vicar's daughter who went to grammar school rather than Eton.

The Guardian

"These light fixtures are 30 years old, and with every passing month, more of them will fail and leak, and more children and school employees will face utterly needless, and serious, risks to their health," said Ms. Massie of New York Lawyers for the Public Interest.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider alternatives like "completely earnest" or "absolutely grave" to fine-tune the specific nuance you want to convey.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly" excessively. While it can strengthen a point, overuse diminishes its impact and makes writing sound repetitive. Try varying your intensifiers with words like "completely", "entirely", or "absolutely" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly serious" functions primarily as an adjective phrase, modifying a noun to describe a state or demeanor characterized by a complete lack of humor or levity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Arts

25%

Books

10%

Less common in

Science

5%

Encyclopedias

5%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "utterly serious" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a complete lack of humor or levity. Ludwig AI confirms this, showing it's often found in contexts such as News & Media and Arts. When writing, remember that this phrase is most effective when emphasizing gravity, but avoid overusing "utterly" to maintain impact. Consider alternatives like "completely earnest" to adjust nuance. Be mindful that "utterly serious" tends toward a neutral to formal register, aligning with its use in serious discussions. Use "utterly serious" to describe someone's intense demeanor or the gravity of a situation, for example: "He remained "utterly serious" throughout the negotiation, refusing to crack a smile."

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely earnest

Replaces "serious" with "earnest", emphasizing sincerity and honesty.

entirely sincere

Focuses on the genuineness and lack of pretense in the seriousness.

absolutely grave

Highlights the weighty and solemn nature of the situation.

deadly serious

Emphasizes the potential for negative consequences if not taken seriously.

intensely focused

Shifts the focus to the concentration and dedication involved.

profoundly committed

Highlights the depth and strength of dedication to a cause or belief.

wholly absorbed

Emphasizes the extent to which someone is engrossed or consumed by something.

genuinely concerned

Highlights the authentic worry or unease being expressed.

truly dedicated

Emphasizes unwavering commitment and devotion.

incredibly intense

Focuses on the high degree of emotional or mental concentration.

FAQs

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

Use "utterly serious" to describe someone's intense demeanor or the gravity of a situation, for example: "He remained "utterly serious" throughout the negotiation, refusing to crack a smile."

What are some alternatives to "utterly serious"?

You can use alternatives like "completely earnest", "absolutely grave", or "deadly serious" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it redundant to say "very utterly serious"?

Yes, using "very" before "utterly" is generally redundant. "Utterly" already implies a high degree of intensity, so "very utterly serious" is typically unnecessary and can sound awkward.

What is the difference between "utterly serious" and "entirely serious"?

While similar, "utterly serious" often implies a more profound or noticeable level of seriousness than "entirely serious". "Utterly" suggests a complete and perhaps surprising lack of levity, whereas "entirely" simply denotes a full degree of seriousness.