Plainly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "Plainly wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is obviously incorrect or mistaken without any ambiguity. Example: "The assertion that the Earth is flat is plainly wrong and contradicts centuries of scientific evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This statement was plainly wrong!

Cornell University

That was so plainly wrong.

The New York Times

One theory is plainly wrong.

The New Yorker

"Lord Mandelson is just plainly wrong," she told the BBC.

The Guardian - Money

I believe that this proposition is plainly wrong.

Cornell University

But what she said was plainly wrong and divisive".

The New York Times

That is plainly wrong as our record shows.

The Guardian

On the merits, the decision (which contains only one paragraph of analysis) is plainly wrong.

Harvard University

Their continued suffering, with no end yet in sight for many, is plainly wrong.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the idea that breaking for a meal hinders accomplishment is plainly wrong.

The Washington Post

Nabeela Shah Ahmaddiya Muslim Women's Association Your editorial is plainly wrong.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "plainly wrong" to express a strong disagreement or contradiction with a statement or action, especially when you believe the error is easily identifiable.

Common error

While "plainly wrong" is generally acceptable, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Consider alternatives like "clearly incorrect" or "demonstrably false" for a more professional tone.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "plainly wrong" functions as an adjective phrase with an adverb intensifier modifying the adjective. As noted by Ludwig AI, it is used to express a strong assertion that something is incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

73%

Academia

13%

Science

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "plainly wrong" is a common phrase used to express that something is obviously incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms its usability and correctness in written English. It's frequently found in news and media contexts, with some presence in academic and scientific writing. While generally acceptable, consider using more formal alternatives like "clearly incorrect" in academic settings. The phrase functions as an adjective phrase with an adverbial intensifier and serves to directly contradict or dismiss something as erroneous.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Clearly incorrect

Emphasizes the lack of correctness in a straightforward manner.

Obviously mistaken

Highlights the presence of a mistake that is easily perceived.

Patently false

Indicates a falsehood that is easily recognizable.

Undeniably incorrect

Stresses that the incorrectness cannot be disputed.

Blatantly wrong

Emphasizes the obvious and often offensive nature of the error.

Evidently false

Indicates the falseness is apparent from the evidence.

Manifestly untrue

Highlights the clear and undeniable lack of truth.

Indisputably false

Asserts that the falsehood is beyond any possibility of dispute.

Demonstrably wrong

Implies the incorrectness can be proven through evidence.

Flat-out wrong

Emphasizes the complete and utter incorrectness.

FAQs

What does "plainly wrong" mean?

The phrase "plainly wrong" means something is obviously incorrect or mistaken, leaving little room for doubt or debate.

How can I use "plainly wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "plainly wrong" to express strong disagreement or contradiction. For example: "The assertion that the Earth is flat is "plainly wrong" and contradicts centuries of scientific evidence."

What can I say instead of "plainly wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "clearly incorrect", "obviously mistaken", or "patently false" depending on the context.

Is "plainly wrong" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "plainly wrong" might be considered slightly informal for some academic contexts. Using alternatives such as "clearly incorrect" or "demonstrably false" can provide a more professional tone.