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Hhtt Posted 10 years ago
Vocabulary

absolutely v. completely v. downright .v thoroughly

"Bill's theory about UFOs is downright implausible."

Above is the original? Which of the following is correct, idiomatic and in the same meaning as the original?

1) Bill's theory about UFOs is completely implausible.

2) Bill's theory about UFOs is absolutely implausible.

3) Bill's theory about UFOs is thoroughly implausible.

Thank you.
  

Top answer

This is the closest in meaning and sentiment: Bill's theory about UFOs is utterly implausible. #1 is somewhat plausible. #2 is rather implausible #3 is implausible.

— AlpheccaStars

  • This is the closest in meaning and sentiment: Bill's theory about UFOs is utterly implausible.
  • #1 is somewhat plausible.
  • #2 is rather implausible #3 is implausible.
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6 Answers
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This is the closest in meaning and sentiment:
Bill's theory about UFOs is utterly implausible.

#1 is somewhat plausible.
#2 is rather implausible
#3 is implausible.
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hhttdownright
Of your three choices I associate this most with "absolutely".

More literally I associate "downright" to at its base; right down to its very base; to its core.

CJ
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Although all three answers have the same meaning, the closest here is 1), "completely." The word "downright" has a rather folksy tone, so "thoroughly" is too academic-sounding, and "absolutely" too abstract-sounding. "Completely" is the closest fit to the original.
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AlpheccaStarsThis is the closest in meaning and sentiment: Bill's theory about UFOs is utterly implausible.#1 is somewhat plausible.#2 is rather implausible#3 is implausible.
But for 1, how can "completely" mean "somewhat" ?

Thank you.
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hhttBut for 1, how can "completely" mean "somewhat" ?
I didn't say that.
I said that #1 is a somewhat plausible paraphrase of the original sentence.
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AlpheccaStarsa somewhat plausible paraphrase of the original sentence.
... which used the word "implausible". I call this "an unfortunate coincidence", but it happens more often in accounting textbooks.
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