utterly so

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "utterly so" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize agreement or affirmation in a strong manner. Example: "When asked if she was excited about the trip, she replied, 'Utterly so!'"

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

This article will spoil you utterly, so read no further unless you watched the episode titled 'Ozymandias'Ozymandias

Independent

It is the fact that we have "taken them into our heads" so utterly, so imperturbably, that concerns him.

The New York Times - Books

Poor ambitious Nina's insanity is, in a way, just an occupational hazard: ballet dancers train for years, changing their bodies utterly, so they can get up on a stage and make us believe that they are someone, or something, they're not.

The New York Times

I drank because I felt alone, even when I was around other people, completely and utterly so in a godless universe.

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Everything in this film is utterly believable, so much so that at times it seems almost anecdotal, a sweet little anthology of kids doing the darnedest things.

The New York Times

So that is almost 900,000 people who have been made utterly miserable so far, albeit for only a few days.

The Guardian

England's centres have been utterly awful so far.

The Guardian - Sport

But we were also utterly exhausted, so we pulled onto a beach.

The New York Times - Travel

New York manages to have election scandals even when the contests are utterly meaningless, so anything can happen.

The New York Times

Certainly Albert and Rose found themselves allied utterly, proudly so, in the glance of any hater of Jews or revolutionists.

The New Yorker

That material is fresh from the interior and utterly pure, so in scientific terms it would provide a fascinating insight into the chemistry inside the comet.

BBC

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "utterly so" to add emphasis and formality to your writing when expressing strong agreement or affirmation.

Common error

Avoid using "utterly so" in casual conversations or informal writing, as it can sound overly formal or pretentious. Opt for simpler alternatives like "completely" or "absolutely" in those situations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "utterly so" functions as an adverbial phrase. It modifies a preceding statement or question, providing strong emphasis and affirmation. It's used to express complete agreement or to underscore the truth of a matter, as demonstrated by Ludwig's examples.

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 so" is a grammatically correct adverbial phrase used to strongly affirm or agree with a preceding statement. Ludwig AI confirms its proper usage. It's relatively rare, primarily appearing in news and media contexts, lending a neutral tone to the communication. While grammatically sound, its formal nature suggests that it is not always appropriate for informal conversation and should be employed carefully to maintain a consistent tone. Related phrases like "completely so" or "absolutely so" can be used as alternatives in less formal settings.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely so

Replaces "utterly" with a more common synonym, reducing the intensity of the affirmation.

absolutely so

Substitutes "utterly" with "absolutely", offering a strong and definitive agreement.

entirely so

Similar to "completely so", providing a sense of full agreement without the strong emphasis of "utterly".

thoroughly so

Emphasizes the completeness of the agreement or condition, indicating that something is true in every aspect.

unquestionably so

Highlights the certainty of the agreement, suggesting that there is no doubt about it.

indubitably so

A more formal way of expressing certainty, suggesting that something is undoubtedly the case.

positively so

Indicates a firm and confident affirmation, leaving no room for doubt.

decidedly so

Implies a clear and definite agreement, suggesting a firm decision or conclusion.

assuredly so

Conveys a sense of confidence and certainty in the affirmation.

categorically so

Indicates a firm and unambiguous agreement, leaving no room for misinterpretation.

FAQs

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

You can use "utterly so" to strongly emphasize agreement or affirmation. For example, "When asked if she was ready for the challenge, she replied, 'Utterly so!'"

What are some alternatives to "utterly so"?

Alternatives include "completely so", "absolutely so", or "entirely so", depending on the desired level of formality and emphasis.

Is "utterly so" more formal than "absolutely so"?

Yes, "utterly so" generally carries a slightly more formal and emphatic tone compared to "absolutely so". The choice depends on the context and the desired level of formality.

In what situations is "utterly so" most appropriate?

"Utterly so" is best suited for formal writing or situations where a strong, emphatic affirmation is desired. It's less common in everyday conversation.