absolutely incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is completely wrong or false. Example: "The statement you made about the company's profits is absolutely incorrect; the numbers are significantly higher."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

35 human-written examples

That is absolutely incorrect.

The New York Times

That was absolutely incorrect.

The Guardian - Sport

Looking back, that's absolutely incorrect.

The New York Times

"That is absolutely incorrect," Alexander says.

The Guardian

"He was absolutely incorrect in his ruling," Mr. Wolf said.

The New York Times - Food

This was of course absolutely incorrect and was easily debunked by an expat magazine in Shanghai.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

25 human-written examples

"It is absolutely, categorically incorrect that we owe Ken Bates money," Haigh said.

The Guardian - Sport

"This is entirely, absolutely and definitively incorrect".

The New York Times

"Just saying 'hand him over' is absolutely dishonourable and incorrect," he said.

The Guardian

On Tuesday, a spokesman for President Pervez Musharraf, Pakistan's military ruler, described reports that the men had been "handed over" to American investigators as "absolutely baseless and incorrect".

The New York Times

After he became aware that he had been secretly recorded for six days, Sly asserted that everything he told Collins during more than 27 hours of conversations was "absolutely false and incorrect".

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When aiming for a more nuanced tone, consider alternatives like "largely inaccurate" or "partially incorrect" if the statement is not entirely wrong.

Common error

While "absolutely incorrect" provides emphasis, excessive use of intensifiers like "absolutely", "completely", or "totally" can weaken your writing. Vary your language to maintain impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely incorrect" functions as an adjectival phrase modifier. It intensifies the adjective "incorrect", indicating a strong negation or contradiction. Ludwig AI confirms its correct and usable form.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

80%

Formal & Business

10%

Science

5%

Less common in

Academia

2%

Encyclopedias

2%

Wiki

1%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "absolutely incorrect" is a grammatically correct and commonly used expression to emphatically deny or refute something. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. It is most frequently found in News & Media sources, indicating its widespread use in conveying clear and decisive information. While "absolutely" adds emphasis, remember to vary your language and avoid overusing intensifiers for maximum impact. Consider alternatives like "categorically untrue" or "completely false" to maintain engaging and dynamic writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

categorically untrue

Replaces "incorrect" with "untrue" and "absolutely" with "categorically" for emphasis.

entirely erroneous

Substitutes "absolutely" with "entirely" and "incorrect" with the more formal "erroneous".

completely false

Uses "completely" instead of "absolutely" and "false" in place of "incorrect", creating a more direct statement.

utterly wrong

Replaces "absolutely" with "utterly" and "incorrect" with "wrong", for a slightly less formal tone.

definitively inaccurate

Replaces "absolutely" with "definitively" and "incorrect" with "inaccurate", conveying a sense of proven error.

patently wrong

Uses "patently" to indicate obvious incorrectness.

demonstrably false

Emphasizes that the incorrectness can be shown or proven.

flatly untrue

Uses "flatly" to express a direct and forceful denial of truth.

simply not true

Offers a more understated way of saying something is incorrect.

a complete misstatement

Frames the incorrectness as a statement that is entirely wrong.

FAQs

How can I use "absolutely incorrect" in a sentence?

You can use "absolutely incorrect" to emphasize that something is entirely wrong or false. For example, "The data presented in the report is "absolutely incorrect"."

What are some alternatives to "absolutely incorrect"?

Some alternatives to "absolutely incorrect" include "completely false", "entirely erroneous", or "categorically untrue". The best choice depends on the specific context and desired level of formality.

Is there a difference between "incorrect" and "absolutely incorrect"?

"Incorrect" simply means wrong or inaccurate. Adding "absolutely" emphasizes the degree of incorrectness, conveying that something is completely and without a doubt wrong. It's a matter of emphasis.

When should I use "absolutely incorrect" versus a less emphatic phrase?

Use "absolutely incorrect" when you want to strongly refute a statement or idea. In situations where a softer tone is preferred or the error is not as significant, consider alternatives such as "slightly inaccurate" or "partially incorrect".