Meaning
Completely; fully.
Primary Function
Maximiser – total extent
Communicative Purpose
To indicate that something is whole or without exception.
Pattern
entirely
Core Structure
entirely
Função primária
Maximiser – total extent
Propósito comunicativo
To indicate that something is whole or without exception.
Situações de gatilho
Formal concessions, descriptions of completeness.
Contextos
Formal writing, presentations.
Padrão
entirely
Estrutura central
entirely
Slots de substituição
adjective
Colocados típicos
- entirely possible
- entirely different
- not entirely sure
Substituições comuns
- wholly
- completely
- fully
- totally (informal)
Erros comuns
Overuse in conversation; ‘entirely’ can sound stuffy.
Similar / contraste
wholly (more formal), fully (often with processes), completely (neutral)
Interferências
‘Not entirely’ is a useful hedge meaning ‘not completely’.
Família do chunk
- Maximisers (formal)
Nuance
Implies there’s no leftover part; precise.
Efeito pragmático
Conveys precision and thoroughness.
Dica de memória
“Not entirely convinced” – polite scepticism
Nota
This adverb is often used in formal contexts to emphasize completeness or totality. 'Not entirely' is a common hedge to soften statements in formal discussions.
Upgrade path
entirely → wholly → in full → without exception
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