Cool MateAltogether vs Entirely
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Altogether
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Entirely
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
| Altogether | Entirely | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɔːltəˈɡeðə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ɪnˈtaɪəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ɪnˈtaɪərli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Completely or in total. | Completely or fully. |
| Example | The train went slower and slower until it stopped altogether. | The experience was **entirely new** to me. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B2 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | altogether now, altogether different, altogether combined | entirely different, entirely possible, entirely subjective |
| Antonyms | partially, separately | partially, incompletely |
| 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. | Confused with 'entire' which is an adjective., Used incorrectly in informal contexts, such as in slang., Misplaced in a sentence, making it sound awkward. |
| Usage notes | Use 'altogether' when you want to emphasize a total amount. Avoid in very formal writing; 'in total' might be better. | Used to emphasize completeness. Suitable in both spoken and written contexts; however, avoid in overly casual conversations. |
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Frequently asked questions: Altogether vs Entirely
What's the difference between Altogether and Entirely?
Altogether: Completely or in total. Entirely: Completely or fully.
Are Altogether and Entirely the same CEFR level?
Altogether: B2, Entirely: B2 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Altogether and Entirely?
Altogether: adverb, Entirely: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Altogether: The train went slower and slower until it stopped altogether. Entirely: The experience was **entirely new** to me.
Can I use Altogether and Entirely interchangeably?
Not always. Altogether and Entirely 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.