altogether a

Meanings

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   Used before 'a' and a noun to mean completely or entirely a particular kind of thing or person.

   Grammar: The adverb 'altogether' comes before the article 'a' and its noun: 'altogether a different matter'. It is not separated from the noun.

   Patterns

   • altogether a + noun

   The trip was altogether a wonderful experience.

   He is altogether a different person when he is with his friends.

   It was altogether a bad idea to go out in that storm.

2. 2phrasefixed phrase

   Used to emphasize that something is completely or wholly the case, often before a noun phrase.

   Grammar: Often used in formal or written English to add emphasis. It can be replaced by 'completely' or 'entirely' in many contexts.

   Patterns

   • be altogether a + noun

   The decision was altogether a mistake.

   This is altogether a more serious problem than we thought.

Common combinations

altogether a different matter

Losing your keys is annoying, but losing your passport is altogether a different matter.

altogether a good thing

It was altogether a good thing that we decided to stay home.

altogether a pleasure

Meeting your family was altogether a pleasure.

Synonyms and how they differ

completely

Completely can often replace 'altogether' in this phrase, but 'completely' is more common in everyday speech.

entirely

Entirely is slightly more formal and can sound a bit stronger than 'altogether'.

Word family

altogether adverb

Completely, totally; also means 'in total' when talking about amounts.

Commonly confused: altogether a or all together?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “altogether a”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

Explore more words