a total waste of time / totally a waste of time

[Hansman]

It's a total waste of time.
It's totally a waste of time.

Can I use both of them for the same meaning or is there some difference in meaning? What do you think?

 

[emsr2d2]

Whilst they're both grammatically correct (just about, in the case of the second), the first is in such common use that I'd say it's almost a set phrase.

 

[Tarheel]

It's a total waste of time.
It's totally a waste of time.

Can I use EITHER of them for the same meaning or is there some difference in meaning? What do you think?

I take them to mean the same thing.

 

[tedmc]

I take them to mean the same thing.

The second is hardly used though.