Pre-data overview of completely and entirely Before analyzing any data, the distinction between 'completely' and 'entirely' feels subtle, centering on focus. 'Completely' seems to emphasize the degree or extent of a process or state, signifying that it has reached its absolute end point or 100% capacity. One might be 'completely exhausted' or a task might be 'completely finished'. It focuses on the thoroughness or finality of a condition. 'Entirely', on the other hand, seems to emphasize the scope or composition of something, meaning 'wholly' or 'exclusively'. It suggests that something consists of one thing and nothing else. A theory could be 'entirely new', or a decision could be 'entirely yours'. It defines the whole substance or nature of its subject, rather than just the intensity of a quality. So, 'completely' is about reaching the limit of a state, while 'entirely' is about the undivided nature of a thing.

Collocates of completely The collocates of 'completely' reveal its primary function as an intensifier for absolute states and conditions. A significant portion of the collocates describe a final, non-gradable state resulting from a process (e.g., `dry`, `charred`, `cooled`, `exhausted`, `booked`). Another large group consists of strong, often informal, adjectives for emotional or mental states (`flabbergasted`, `disgusted`, `nuts`, `batty`, `knackered`). This demonstrates that 'completely' is used to push a quality to its maximum degree, signifying totality or 100% of that state. The informal and emotive nature of many collocates suggests its frequent use in emphatic, everyday speech to describe overwhelming conditions.

Collocates of entirely The collocates of 'entirely' show its use in defining the fundamental nature, composition, or classification of a subject. It frequently modifies adjectives that describe a source (`imported`, `Hawaiian`), a method of creation (`handcrafted`, `commissioned`), or an inherent quality (`different`, `idiosyncratic`, `causal`). Unlike 'completely', its partners are rarely about extreme physical or emotional states. Instead, they are often more abstract, analytical, or categorical (`data-based`, `adult`, `botanical`). This shows that 'entirely' is used to mean "wholly" or "exclusively in this category," establishing the undivided scope or singular essence of something, often in a more formal or descriptive context.

Comparison of collocates of completely and entirely The collocates provide clear evidence for the main differences between the words. 'Completely' collocates with words describing states, particularly final or extreme ones. Words like `exhausted`, `dry`, `locked-in`, and `flabbergasted` show it functions as an intensifier marking the 100% point of a condition. In contrast, 'entirely' collocates with words defining inherent nature, source, or category, such as `different`, `imported`, `handcrafted`, and `data-based`. This shows its function is to define something as "wholly" or "exclusively" of a certain kind. Furthermore, the collocates reveal a difference in formality and semantic prosody. 'Completely' pairs with informal, emotive, and sometimes negative words (`nuts`, `knackered`, `asinine`), suggesting a more colloquial, emphatic usage. 'Entirely' pairs with more neutral, formal, and analytical terms (`causal`, `idiosyncratic`, `geospatial`), pointing to a more detached and descriptive function. Thus, the data shows 'completely' is for intensifying states, while 'entirely' is for defining natur