Understanding antonyms is crucial for expanding vocabulary, improving comprehension, and enhancing communication skills. When it comes to the word “completely,” many learners struggle to pinpoint its exact opposites.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to antonyms for “completely,” exploring various nuances and contexts in which they can be used. Whether you are an English language learner, a student preparing for an exam, or simply someone looking to refine their writing, this guide will equip you with the tools to express yourself more accurately and effectively.
This article explores the multifaceted nature of antonyms for “completely,” delving into adverbs, adjectives, and phrases that convey partiality, incompleteness, or limitation. By examining numerous examples and practical exercises, you will gain a deeper understanding of how to use these antonyms correctly and confidently in various contexts.
The goal is to move beyond rote memorization and develop a practical understanding of how to choose the most appropriate antonym to convey your intended meaning.
Table of Contents
- Definition of “Completely”
- Structural Breakdown
- Types and Categories of Antonyms
- Examples of Antonyms for “Completely”
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of “Completely”
The adverb “completely” signifies that something is done to the fullest extent, without any reservations or exceptions. It implies totality, wholeness, and perfection.
Understanding this definition is paramount to grasping its antonyms.
In essence, “completely” indicates that a process, action, or state is finished or achieved in its entirety. It leaves no room for doubt or incompleteness.
For example, “I completely agree with you” means there is no aspect of the statement with which the speaker disagrees.
The function of “completely” is to intensify a verb, adjective, or another adverb. It amplifies the meaning, emphasizing that whatever is being described is thorough and unreserved.
The context in which “completely” is used often dictates the appropriate antonym.
Structural Breakdown
The word “completely” is derived from the adjective “complete,” which means whole, finished, or perfect. The suffix “-ly” transforms the adjective into an adverb, modifying verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs to indicate the extent or degree to which something is done.
Understanding this structural relationship helps in identifying antonyms. Antonyms for “completely” often involve words or phrases that negate the sense of totality or wholeness.
These antonyms can be adverbs themselves (e.g., “partially,” “slightly”), adjectives used adverbially (e.g., “incompletely”), or prepositional phrases (e.g., “to a limited extent”).
The structure of a sentence using “completely” typically involves the subject, verb, and then “completely” modifying the verb. For example, in the sentence “She completely understood the instructions,” “completely” modifies the verb “understood,” indicating the thoroughness of her understanding.
The antonym would need to modify the verb in a way that suggests less than thorough understanding.
Types and Categories of Antonyms
Antonyms for “completely” can be categorized based on the degree of opposition they represent. These categories are not mutually exclusive, and some antonyms may fall into multiple categories depending on the context.
Partial Antonyms
Partial antonyms indicate that something is done to some extent but not fully. These antonyms suggest a degree of incompleteness or a lack of totality.
Examples of partial antonyms include: partially, somewhat, slightly, a little, to some extent, in part.
Limited Antonyms
Limited antonyms suggest that something is restricted or confined in scope or extent. They imply that the action or state is not all-encompassing.
Examples of limited antonyms include: barely, hardly, scarcely, to a limited extent, within limits, not entirely.
Beginning Antonyms
Beginning antonyms indicate that something is in the initial stages or is just starting to happen. They suggest a lack of completion because the process is still underway.
Examples of beginning antonyms include: initially, starting, beginning, commencing, preliminarily.
Conditional Antonyms
Conditional antonyms suggest that something is true or valid only under certain conditions or circumstances. They imply that the totality of the action or state is dependent on specific factors.
Examples of conditional antonyms include: conditionally, provisionally, depending on, subject to, if.
Examples of Antonyms for “Completely”
The following sections provide extensive examples of each category of antonyms for “completely,” illustrating how they can be used in different contexts.
Examples of Partial Antonyms
Partial antonyms provide a nuanced way of saying something is not fully done. The following table shows examples using partial antonyms in sentences.
| Original Sentence (Using “Completely”) | Sentence with Partial Antonym |
|---|---|
| I completely understand the situation. | I partially understand the situation. |
| She completely agreed with his proposal. | She somewhat agreed with his proposal. |
| The project was completely finished on time. | The project was slightly finished on time. |
| He completely forgot about the meeting. | He forgot a little about the meeting. |
| The instructions were completely clear. | The instructions were clear to some extent. |
| The room was completely dark. | The room was in part dark. |
| The cake was completely eaten. | The cake was partially eaten. |
| The problem was completely solved. | The problem was somewhat solved. |
| The car was completely repaired. | The car was slightly repaired. |
| I completely trust him. | I trust him a little. |
| The information was completely accurate. | The information was accurate to some extent. |
| The house was completely destroyed. | The house was destroyed in part. |
| The report was completely comprehensive. | The report was partially comprehensive. |
| The audience was completely silent. | The audience was somewhat silent. |
| The door was completely open. | The door was slightly open. |
| The task was completely finished. | The task was finished a little. |
| The evidence was completely convincing. | The evidence was convincing to some extent. |
| The answer was completely correct. | The answer was correct in part. |
| The meal was completely satisfying. | The meal was partially satisfying. |
| The project was completely successful. | The project was somewhat successful. |
| The wound was completely healed. | The wound was slightly healed. |
| The document was completely revised. | The document was revised a little. |
| The picture was completely clear. | The picture was clear to some extent. |
| The lawn was completely mowed. | The lawn was mowed in part. |
Examples of Limited Antonyms
Limited antonyms imply a restriction or constraint on the extent of something. Here are examples illustrating their use.
| Original Sentence (Using “Completely”) | Sentence with Limited Antonym |
|---|---|
| I completely understand the complex theory. | I barely understand the complex theory. |
| She completely finished the difficult exam. | She hardly finished the difficult exam. |
| The company completely recovered from the crisis. | The company scarcely recovered from the crisis. |
| The new regulations were completely implemented. | The new regulations were implemented to a limited extent. |
| His influence was completely unlimited. | His influence was within limits. |
| The task was completely achievable. | The task was not entirely achievable. |
| The data was completely accurate. | The data was barely accurate. |
| The system was completely reliable. | The system was hardly reliable. |
| The impact was completely negligible. | The impact was scarcely negligible. |
| The repairs were completely successful. | The repairs were successful to a limited extent. |
| The project was completely funded. | The project was funded within limits. |
| The process was completely efficient. | The process was not entirely efficient. |
| The treatment was completely effective. | The treatment was barely effective. |
| The resources were completely sufficient. | The resources were hardly sufficient. |
| The damage was completely repairable. | The damage was scarcely repairable. |
| The agreement was completely binding. | The agreement was binding to a limited extent. |
| The evidence was completely conclusive. | The evidence was conclusive within limits. |
| The victory was completely assured. | The victory was not entirely assured. |
| The information was completely verified. | The information was barely verified. |
| The control was completely absolute. | The control was hardly absolute. |
| The security was completely impenetrable. | The security was scarcely impenetrable. |
| The implementation was completely flawless. | The implementation was flawless to a limited extent. |
| The adherence was completely strict. | The adherence was strict within limits. |
| The support was completely unconditional. | The support was not entirely unconditional. |
Examples of Beginning Antonyms
Beginning antonyms signify the initial phase of something, suggesting it is not yet complete. The table below illustrates their usage.
| Original Sentence (Using “Completely”) | Sentence with Beginning Antonym |
|---|---|
| The process was completely finished. | The process was initially started. |
| The project was completely underway. | The project was starting to get underway. |
| The construction was completely done. | The construction was beginning to take shape. |
| The transformation was completely realized. | The transformation was commencing. |
| The study was completely analyzed. | The study was preliminarily analyzed. |
| The work was completely assessed. | The work was initially assessed. |
| The efforts were completely effective. | The efforts were starting to be effective. |
| The changes were completely implemented. | The changes were beginning to be implemented. |
| The repairs were completely completed. | The repairs were commencing. |
| The review was completely conducted. | The review was preliminarily conducted. |
| The investigation was completely resolved. | The investigation was initially started. |
| The developments were completely evident. | The developments were starting to be evident. |
| The preparations were completely finished. | The preparations were beginning. |
| The results were completely achieved. | The results were commencing to be achieved. |
| The tests were completely performed. | The tests were preliminarily performed. |
| The development was completely advanced. | The development was initially started. |
| The improvements were completely noticeable. | The improvements were starting to be noticeable. |
| The renovations were completely finished. | The renovations were beginning. |
| The upgrades were completely installed. | The upgrades were commencing to be installed. |
| The program was completely launched. | The program was preliminarily launched. |
| The analysis was completely performed. | The analysis was initially performed. |
| The assessment was completely carried out. | The assessment was starting to be carried out. |
| The experiment was completely started. | The experiment was beginning. |
Examples of Conditional Antonyms
Conditional antonyms indicate that something is dependent on certain conditions. The following table provides examples.
| Original Sentence (Using “Completely”) | Sentence with Conditional Antonym |
|---|---|
| I completely agree with you. | I agree with you conditionally. |
| The project is completely approved. | The project is approved provisionally. |
| The success is completely guaranteed. | The success is guaranteed depending on the market conditions. |
| The offer is completely accepted. | The offer is accepted subject to final review. |
| The plan is completely feasible. | The plan is feasible if resources are available. |
| The outcome is completely certain. | The outcome is certain conditionally. |
| The funding is completely secured. | The funding is secured provisionally. |
| The results are completely valid. | The results are valid depending on the methodology. |
| The agreement is completely binding. | The agreement is binding subject to legal approval. |
| The solution is completely effective. | The solution is effective if implemented correctly. |
| The approval is completely granted. | The approval is granted conditionally. |
| The investment is completely safe. | The investment is safe provisionally. |
| The strategy is completely sound. | The strategy is sound depending on the circumstances. |
| The decision is completely final. | The decision is final subject to appeal. |
| The support is completely unconditional. | The support is available if needed. |
| The compliance is completely ensured. | The compliance is ensured conditionally. |
| The permission is completely given. | The permission is given provisionally. |
| The success is completely dependent. | The success is dependent depending on the team’s effort. |
| The access is completely unrestricted. | The access is unrestricted subject to verification. |
| The refund is completely guaranteed. | The refund is guaranteed if the conditions are met. |
| The evaluation is completely objective. | The evaluation is objective conditionally. |
| The acceptance is completely automatic. | The acceptance is automatic provisionally. |
| The outcome is completely predictable. | The outcome is predictable depending on the data. |
Usage Rules
Using antonyms for “completely” correctly involves understanding the context and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Here are some guidelines:
- Choose the right degree: Consider the extent to which something is incomplete. “Slightly” implies a small degree of incompleteness, while “barely” implies a significant lack.
- Consider the context: The appropriate antonym depends on the situation. For example, in a formal setting, “to a limited extent” might be more suitable than “hardly.”
- Maintain grammatical correctness: Ensure that the antonym fits grammatically in the sentence. Adverbs should modify verbs, adjectives, or other adverbs.
- Avoid ambiguity: Ensure that the use of the antonym does not create confusion or misinterpretation. The meaning should be clear in the context of the sentence.
Exceptions and Special Cases: Some antonyms for “completely” can have multiple meanings, so it’s essential to use them in a way that is clear and unambiguous. For example, “partially” can sometimes imply a bias or preference, so it should be used carefully in sensitive contexts.
Formal vs. Informal Usage: Some antonyms are more appropriate for formal writing, while others are better suited for informal conversation. “To a limited extent” is generally more formal than “not entirely.”
Common Mistakes
Learners often make mistakes when using antonyms for “completely.” Here are some common errors and how to correct them:
| Incorrect | Correct | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| I completely disagree a little. | I slightly disagree. | Using “a little” with “completely” creates a contradiction. |
| She completely hardly finished the task. | She hardly finished the task. | Using “completely” with “hardly” is redundant and contradictory. |
| The project was completely beginning. | The project was beginning. | “Completely” and “beginning” are contradictory in this context. |
| I completely conditionally agree. | I agree conditionally. | “Completely” and “conditionally” cannot be used together. |
| He completely partially understood. | He partially understood. | Using “completely” with “partially” is contradictory. |
| The task was completely scarcely finished. | The task was scarcely finished. | “Completely” and “scarcely” are contradictory. |
| The process was completely initially started. | The process was initially started. | “Completely” and “initially” are contradictory. |
| The approval was completely depending. | The approval was granted depending on the situation. | “Completely” and “depending” are contradictory. |
Overgeneralization: Avoid assuming that all antonyms are interchangeable. Each antonym has a specific meaning and should be used accordingly.
Incorrect Word Choice: Choosing an antonym that doesn’t accurately reflect the intended meaning can lead to miscommunication. For example, using “slightly” when you mean “hardly” can significantly alter the message.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Choose the best antonym for “completely” in each sentence.
| Question | Options | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1. I __________ agree with your assessment. | a) completely, b) partially, c) absolutely | b) partially |
| 2. She __________ understood the complex instructions. | a) completely, b) barely, c) fully | b) barely |
| 3. The project was __________ finished when the funding was cut. | a) completely, b) starting, c) entirely | b) starting |
| 4. The approval is __________ granted, pending review. | a) completely, b) provisionally, c) fully | b) provisionally |
| 5. The evidence was __________ convincing to the jury. | a) completely, b) somewhat, c) totally | b) somewhat |
| 6. The task was __________ achievable with the available resources. | a) completely, b) not entirely, c) fully | b) not entirely |
| 7. The repairs were __________ completed before the storm. | a) completely, b) commencing, c) fully | b) commencing |
| 8. The outcome is __________ certain, depending on the weather. | a) completely, b) conditionally, c) absolutely | b) conditionally |
| 9. The information was __________ accurate, requiring further verification. | a) completely, b) scarcely, c) fully | b) scarcely |
| 10. The process was __________ implemented before the deadline. | a) completely, b) initially, c) fully | b) initially |
Exercise 2: Rewrite the following sentences using an antonym for “completely.”
| Original Sentence | Rewritten Sentence |
|---|---|
| 1. I completely trust him with my finances. | I partially trust him with my finances. |
| 2. She completely finished the marathon. | She hardly finished the marathon. |
| 3. The construction was completely finished by the deadline. | The construction was beginning by the deadline. |
| 4. The agreement is completely binding on all parties. | The agreement is binding on all parties subject to legal review. |
| 5. The study completely supports the hypothesis. | The study somewhat supports the hypothesis. |
| 6. The project was completely funded by the investors. | The project was funded to a limited extent by the investors. |
| 7. The renovations were completely finished before the holidays. | The renovations were commencing before the holidays. |
| 8. The results are completely valid based on the data. | The results are valid depending on the data. |
| 9. The security was completely impenetrable at the facility. | The security was scarcely impenetrable at the facility. |
| 10. The new regulations were completely implemented last year. | The new regulations were initially implemented last year. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, exploring the nuances of antonyms for “completely” can involve understanding the subtle differences in meaning and usage across various contexts. This includes analyzing how these antonyms interact with other words in a sentence to create specific effects.
Figurative Language: Antonyms for “completely” can be used in figurative language to create irony, sarcasm, or understatement. For example, saying “I slightly disagree” in a heated debate can be a form of understatement to emphasize the disagreement.
Formal and Technical Contexts: In formal or technical writing, the choice of antonyms can be crucial for conveying precise information. Understanding the specific connotations of each antonym is essential for avoiding ambiguity and ensuring accuracy.
Cultural and Regional Variations: The usage of antonyms for “completely” can vary across different cultures and regions. Being aware of these variations can help avoid misunderstandings and improve cross-cultural communication.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about antonyms for “completely”:
- What is the best antonym for “completely”?
The “best” antonym depends on the context. “Partially” indicates a degree of incompleteness, “barely” suggests a significant lack, and “conditionally” implies dependence on certain factors. Choose the antonym that most accurately reflects the intended meaning.
- Can “almost” be considered an antonym for “completely”?
While “almost” suggests something is near completion, it is not a direct antonym. It implies proximity to completion rather than incompleteness. Therefore, it’s more of a near-antonym or a word with a related meaning.
- How do I choose the right antonym in a sentence?
Consider the context of the sentence and the specific nuance you wish to convey. Think about the degree of incompleteness, limitation, or conditionality you want to express. Experiment with different antonyms to see which one fits best.
- Are there any situations where “completely” has no antonym?
In certain contexts, finding a perfect antonym for “completely” might be challenging. This is because “completely” often implies an absolute state. In such cases, using a phrase or rephrasing the sentence might be necessary to convey the opposite meaning.
- How can I improve my understanding of antonyms in general?
Read widely, pay attention to how antonyms are used in different contexts, and practice using them in your own writing and speaking. Use a thesaurus to explore different antonyms and their nuances. Consistent practice and exposure will enhance your understanding.
- Is it correct to use multiple antonyms together to emphasize incompleteness?
While it’s possible, it can often sound awkward or redundant. For example, saying “I slightly barely understand” is not as effective as simply saying “I barely understand.” Choose the single antonym that best conveys your intended meaning.
- How do conditional antonyms work in complex sentences?
Conditional antonyms introduce a condition that affects the validity or completeness of a statement. They often require careful structuring of the sentence to ensure the condition is clear and unambiguous. For example, “The project is approved conditionally, pending final review” clearly indicates that the approval is not absolute but subject to a condition.
- What are some common prefixes that can be used to form antonyms for “completely”?
Prefixes like “in-“, “im-“, “un-“, and “dis-” can sometimes be used to form antonyms. However, they are not directly applicable to “completely” itself. Instead, they might be used to form antonyms of related words. For example, “incomplete” is an antonym of “complete.”
Conclusion
Mastering antonyms for “completely” enhances your ability to express nuanced meanings and communicate effectively in English. By understanding the different categories of antonyms and their specific contexts, you can choose the most appropriate word or phrase to convey your intended message.
Practice using these antonyms in various situations to solidify your understanding and improve your fluency.
Remember to consider the degree of opposition, the context of the sentence, and the potential for ambiguity when selecting an antonym. With consistent effort and attention to detail, you can confidently use antonyms for “completely” to enrich your vocabulary and refine your communication skills.
Keep practicing and exploring new words to further expand your linguistic repertoire.