"I don't agree totally" vs. "I don't totally agree" vs. "I totally don't agree"
What is the difference between the following?
- I don't agree with him totally.
- I don't totally agree with him.
- I totally don't agree with him.
I'm puzzled at the meaning of negative sentences which contain the word "totally" or other similar word. And I want to ask one more question. In addition to the expression of "not at all", is there any other way to express this meaning?
"I don't agree with him totally," and "I don't totally agree with him," mean the same thing: "my agreement with him is not total." The speaker agrees, but has doubts.
In this case, "I agree with him totally" is the sentiment negated by "don't".
"I totally don't agree with him" means "my disagreement with him is total." It is a declaration of complete disagreement. You might also say, "I don't agree with him at all."
In this case, "I don't agree with him" is the sentiment emphasised by "totally".