What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
altogether
Example
Altogether, there were ten people at the party. [altogether: adverb]
Example
The movie was altogether fantastic. [altogether: adverb]
completely
Example
I completely forgot about our meeting. [completely: adverb]
Example
The painting was completely ruined in the fire. [completely: adverb]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Completely is more commonly used than altogether in everyday language, making it a more useful word for ESL learners to know.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between altogether and completely?
Completely is more versatile and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, while altogether is less common and may be perceived as more formal.
