Completely vs. Very

Attribute	Completely	Very
Definition	Wholly, entirely, fully	To a high degree, extremely
Intensity	Maximum, total	High, significant
Usage	Emphasizes the entirety of something	Emphasizes a high degree or extent of something
Emphasis	Stresses completeness or thoroughness	Stresses intensity or extremity

Definition

Completely and very are both adverbs that are used to intensify the meaning of a verb, adjective, or another adverb. However, they have slightly different nuances in their usage. Completely is often used to indicate that something is done to the fullest extent or without any exceptions. On the other hand, very is used to emphasize the degree or extent of something, but it may not necessarily imply totality.

Intensity

One key difference between completely and very is the level of intensity they convey. Completely is considered to be a stronger intensifier than very. When something is described as completely, it means that it is done in its entirety, leaving no room for doubt or ambiguity. On the other hand, very simply emphasizes the degree or extent of something without necessarily implying totality.

Usage

Completely is often used in contexts where there is a need to emphasize that something is done fully or without any exceptions. For example, "I completely agree with your assessment" indicates that there are no reservations in the agreement. On the other hand, very is used more broadly to intensify the meaning of a word without necessarily implying completeness. For instance, "I am very happy with the results" simply indicates a high level of satisfaction without implying that there are no reservations.

Impact on Tone

The choice between completely and very can also have an impact on the tone of a statement. Completely tends to convey a sense of finality or decisiveness, as it implies that something is done to the fullest extent. On the other hand, very can be used in a more casual or informal manner, as it simply emphasizes the degree or extent of something without necessarily implying completeness.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between completely and very:

• "She completely forgot about the meeting" - This sentence indicates that the person forgot about the meeting without any exceptions.
• "She was very forgetful about the meeting" - This sentence simply emphasizes that the person was forgetful about the meeting without implying totality.
• "The project was completely successful" - This sentence indicates that the project was successful in its entirety.
• "The project was very successful" - This sentence simply emphasizes the high degree of success without implying that there were no shortcomings.

Conclusion

In conclusion, completely and very are both adverbs that are used to intensify the meaning of a verb, adjective, or another adverb. While completely indicates that something is done to the fullest extent or without any exceptions, very simply emphasizes the degree or extent of something without necessarily implying totality. The choice between completely and very can have an impact on the intensity and tone of a statement, so it is important to consider the nuances of each word when using them in writing or speech.