Cool MateAltogether vs Completely
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Altogether
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Completely
Top 1,000 (very common)A2adverb
Most common: Completely
| Altogether | Completely | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɔːltəˈɡeðə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/kəmˈpliːtli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/kəmˈpliːtli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Completely or in total. | Totally or fully. |
| Example | The train went slower and slower until it stopped altogether. | I completely forgot about the meeting today. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 1,000 (very common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | A2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | altogether now, altogether different, altogether combined | completely agree, completely understand, completely satisfied, completely different, completely unaware |
| Antonyms | partially, separately | partially, incompletely, somewhat |
| Common mistakes | Confused with 'all together', which means everyone or everything gathered., Omitting it in sentences where emphasis on total is needed., Using it in a place where 'completely' would be better. | Using 'completely' without a verb or action., Confusing 'completely' with 'totally' in formal contexts., Saying 'completely' in casual situations where simpler words like 'really' might fit better. |
| Usage notes | Use 'altogether' when you want to emphasize a total amount. Avoid in very formal writing; 'in total' might be better. | Use 'completely' to emphasize the totality of an action or state. It's suitable for both spoken and written English but might sound overemphasized in casual conversation. |
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Frequently asked questions: Altogether vs Completely
What's the difference between Altogether and Completely?
Altogether: Completely or in total. Completely: Totally or fully.
Which is more common: Altogether and Completely?
Completely is the most common in everyday English.
Which is more advanced: Altogether and Completely?
Altogether is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Altogether and Completely the same CEFR level?
Altogether: B2, Completely: A2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Altogether and Completely?
Altogether: adverb, Completely: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Altogether: The train went slower and slower until it stopped altogether. Completely: I completely forgot about the meeting today.
Can I use Altogether and Completely interchangeably?
Not always. Altogether and Completely are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.