Cool MateThat's so right on vs Totally
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
That's so right on
InformalTop 5,000 (fairly common)
Totally
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
Most formal: TotallyMost common: Totally
| That's so right on | Totally | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 //ðæts səʊ raɪt ɒn//🇺🇸 //ðæts soʊ raɪt ɑn// | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtəʊtəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtəʊtəli/"]/ |
| Meaning | That is exactly correct or true. | Completely or very much. |
| Example | When she said we should travel more, I thought, 'That's so right on.' | I totally agree with your opinion on the matter. |
| Register | Informal | Neutral |
| How common | Top 5,000 (fairly common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | - | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | |
| Collocations | that's so right on point, that's so right on target, that's so right on the money | totally agree, totally awesome, totally different, totally in love |
| Antonyms | - | partially, somewhat |
| Common mistakes | Using in formal contexts where more reserved language is needed., Confusing with 'right on' as a command., Overusing it in conversations, making it sound insincere. | 'Totally' is sometimes confused with 'complete.', Learners may use 'totally' in formal situations when it sounds too casual., Sometimes misused to modify nouns directly. |
| Usage notes | Usually used in casual conversations to express agreement. Avoid in formal settings or written communication. | Use 'totally' to emphasize an absolute degree of something. It's neutral but can sound informal in some contexts. Avoid in very formal writing. |
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Frequently asked questions: That's so right on vs Totally
What's the difference between That's so right on and Totally?
That's so right on: That is exactly correct or true. Totally: Completely or very much.
Which is more formal: That's so right on and Totally?
Totally is the most formal of these.
Which is more common: That's so right on and Totally?
Totally is the most common in everyday English.
Can you show an example of each?
That's so right on: When she said we should travel more, I thought, 'That's so right on.' Totally: I totally agree with your opinion on the matter.
Can I use That's so right on and Totally interchangeably?
Not always. That's so right on and Totally 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.