Completely vs. Totally

Attribute	Completely	Totally
Definition	Wholly, entirely, fully	Wholly, entirely, fully
Usage	Often used to emphasize the extent of something	Often used to emphasize the entirety of something
Intensity	Can imply a sense of thoroughness or exhaustive completion	Can imply a sense of absolute or complete entirety
Emphasis	Can be used to stress the completeness of an action or state	Can be used to stress the totality of an action or state

Definition

Completely and totally are both adverbs that are used to emphasize the extent or degree of something. Completely means to the fullest extent or degree, leaving nothing out. Totally, on the other hand, means in every way or in every respect. Both words are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences in their usage.

Usage

Completely is often used to emphasize that something is done to the fullest extent possible. For example, "I completely forgot about our meeting." This sentence implies that the speaker forgot about the meeting entirely, without any exceptions. On the other hand, totally is used to emphasize that something is done in every way or in every respect. For example, "I totally agree with you." This sentence implies that the speaker agrees with the other person in every aspect.

Intensity

Completely is often seen as a stronger word than totally in terms of intensity. When something is done completely, it means that there are no exceptions or gaps in the action. For example, "I completely finished my homework." This sentence implies that the homework was finished without any unfinished tasks. Totally, on the other hand, may imply a sense of completeness but not necessarily to the same extent as completely. For example, "I totally cleaned my room." This sentence implies that the room was cleaned in every way, but there may still be some areas that were not cleaned.

Formality

Completely is often considered more formal than totally. Completely is commonly used in academic or professional settings to emphasize that something is done to the fullest extent. For example, "The project was completely successful." This sentence implies that the project was successful in every aspect. Totally, on the other hand, is often seen as more casual and informal. For example, "I totally forgot about our lunch date." This sentence implies that the speaker forgot about the lunch date in every way, but it may not carry the same level of formality as using completely.

Common Usage

Both completely and totally are commonly used in everyday language to emphasize the extent or degree of something. They are often used interchangeably, and the choice between the two may depend on personal preference or the context of the sentence. For example, "I completely understand your point of view" and "I totally understand your point of view" both convey the same meaning, but the choice of completely or totally may change the tone or formality of the sentence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, completely and totally are both adverbs that are used to emphasize the extent or degree of something. While they are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences in their usage, intensity, formality, and common usage. Completely is often seen as a stronger word in terms of intensity and formality, while totally is often considered more casual and informal. Both words have their place in the English language and can be used effectively to convey emphasis and intensity in a sentence.