Totally vs. Utterly

Attribute	Totally	Utterly
Definition	Completely; entirely	Completely; absolutely
Intensity	High	High
Usage	Informal	Formal
Emphasis	Strong	Strong

Definition

Both "totally" and "utterly" are adverbs that are used to emphasize the degree or extent of something. They are often used interchangeably in everyday language, but there are subtle differences in their meanings. "Totally" is often used to indicate completeness or entirety, while "utterly" is used to convey a sense of extreme or absolute nature.

Usage

When it comes to usage, "totally" is more commonly used in informal contexts, such as casual conversations or social media posts. It is often used to express agreement or enthusiasm, as in "I totally agree with you" or "I totally love that movie." On the other hand, "utterly" is considered more formal and is often used in written or spoken language that requires a higher level of formality, such as academic papers or professional presentations.

Intensity

One key difference between "totally" and "utterly" is the level of intensity they convey. While both words are used to emphasize a point, "utterly" is generally considered to be more intense than "totally." For example, saying "I am totally exhausted" implies a high level of tiredness, but saying "I am utterly exhausted" conveys an even stronger sense of complete exhaustion.

Emphasis

Another difference between "totally" and "utterly" lies in the emphasis they place on the subject of the sentence. "Totally" is often used to emphasize the entirety of something, while "utterly" is used to emphasize the extreme nature of something. For example, saying "I totally forgot about our meeting" emphasizes the complete forgetfulness, while saying "I utterly forgot about our meeting" emphasizes the extreme nature of the forgetfulness.

Examples

Here are some examples to illustrate the differences between "totally" and "utterly":

• "I totally agree with your assessment of the situation." - In this sentence, "totally" is used to emphasize complete agreement.
• "The storm utterly destroyed the town." - In this sentence, "utterly" is used to emphasize the extreme nature of the destruction.
• "I totally forgot to pick up the dry cleaning." - In this sentence, "totally" emphasizes the complete forgetfulness.
• "She was utterly shocked by the news of his resignation." - In this sentence, "utterly" emphasizes the extreme nature of the shock.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while "totally" and "utterly" are often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences in their meanings and usage. "Totally" is more commonly used in informal contexts and emphasizes completeness, while "utterly" is considered more formal and conveys a sense of extreme nature. Understanding these differences can help you choose the right word to convey the level of emphasis you desire in your communication.