Cool MateAltogether vs Totally
When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.
Altogether
Top 2,000 (common)B2adverb
Totally
Top 2,000 (common)B1adverb
| Altogether | Totally | |
|---|---|---|
| Pronunciation | 🇬🇧 /["/ˌɔːltəˈɡeðə(r)/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˌɔːltəˈɡeðər/"]/ | 🇬🇧 /["/ˈtəʊtəli/"]/🇺🇸 /["/ˈtəʊtəli/"]/ |
| Meaning | Completely or in total. | Completely or very much. |
| Example | The train went slower and slower until it stopped altogether. | I totally agree with your opinion on the matter. |
| Register | Neutral | Neutral |
| How common | Top 2,000 (common) | Top 2,000 (common) |
| CEFR level | B2 | B1 |
| Part of speech | adverb | adverb |
| Collocations | altogether now, altogether different, altogether combined | totally agree, totally awesome, totally different, totally in love |
| Antonyms | partially, separately | partially, 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. | '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 | Use 'altogether' when you want to emphasize a total amount. Avoid in very formal writing; 'in total' might be better. | 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: Altogether vs Totally
What's the difference between Altogether and Totally?
Altogether: Completely or in total. Totally: Completely or very much.
Which is more advanced: Altogether and Totally?
Altogether is the highest level, at B2, on the CEFR scale.
Are Altogether and Totally the same CEFR level?
Altogether: B2, Totally: B1 on the CEFR scale.
What part of speech are Altogether and Totally?
Altogether: adverb, Totally: adverb.
Can you show an example of each?
Altogether: The train went slower and slower until it stopped altogether. Totally: I totally agree with your opinion on the matter.
Can I use Altogether and Totally interchangeably?
Not always. Altogether 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.