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Liveinjapan Posted 18 years ago
Grammar

Totally

I understand what the sentence totally means.

I understand totally what the sentence means.

I totally understand what the sentece means.

Are they correct and do they carry the same meaning?

Thanks
LiJ
  

Top answer

The first sound odd and I wouldn't use it. You should also realize that the word "totally" is used ... hmm...

— BarbaraPA

  • The first sound odd and I wouldn't use it.
  • You should also realize that the word "totally" is used ...
  • hmm...
  • almost as slang in the US.
  • It may have started as a Southern California thing, but now it's epidemic (and can even take on a saracastic meaning).
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9 Answers
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The first sound odd and I wouldn't use it.

You should also realize that the word "totally" is used ... hmm... almost as slang in the US. It may have started as a Southern California thing, but now it's epidemic (and can even take on a saracastic meaning). So when you start with "I totally..." you have started with the structure that used by teenagers (and yes, adults) with this use. ("I t
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I completely understand what you mean, GG. Emotion: smile Thanks!
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Like, I am so totally glad I was, like, able to make that part clear. Emotion: smile
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Hi,
that question reminded me of this issue...
Could somebody comment on the following examples? The fact is that I was told the one in red is not idiomatic, so I wonder if that's just because nothing else follows the verb.

I completely understand what you meant to say.
I understand completely what you meant to say.
I perfectly understand what you meant to say.
I
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Hi K.

I wouldn't put "perfectly" before "understand" in any of them, not just the last one.
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So it seems it's something peculiar to "perfectly"... "completely" is ok either after or before, but "perfectly" is not. How strange! Thanks!
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Hi GG.

Do you mean putting 'perfectly' either after understand or the end of the each sentence is okay?

Thanks
LiJ
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I agree with GG. Adverbs that indicate totality (totally, completely, entirely, wholly, fully) go before the verb; adverbs of manner (e.g., perfectly) go after -- at least for the verb understand.

CJ
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