absolutely wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "absolutely wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use this phrase when you are emphasizing your disagreement with a particular idea, opinion, or statement. Example: I think that plan is absolutely wrong and won't get us the results we want.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"For me terrorism is an absolute, it's absolutely wrong.

BBC

"Absolutely wrong".

The New Yorker

This is absolutely wrong.

Stanford University

"I was absolutely wrong".

The New York Times

"That is absolutely wrong.

The New York Times

RAMOS: He's absolutely wrong.

The Washington Post

"But that's absolutely wrong.

The New York Times - Arts

"She is absolutely wrong.

The Guardian

It's absolutely wrong".

The New York Times

"I think it's absolutely wrong".

The New York Times

But this intuition is absolutely wrong.

Cornell University

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "absolutely wrong" to express strong disagreement or to correct a misconception with emphasis. It's effective when you want to clearly and directly state that something is incorrect.

Common error

Avoid using "absolutely wrong" in situations where a more nuanced or diplomatic response is appropriate. Overusing it can come across as dismissive or overly assertive, especially when there's room for interpretation or debate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "absolutely wrong" functions as an adjective phrase used to strongly emphasize the incorrectness of something. It's a forceful way to express disagreement or contradiction, as confirmed by Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Academia

25%

Science

15%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Wiki

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "absolutely wrong" is a powerful and direct way to express strong disagreement or to indicate that something is entirely incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is grammatically correct and widely used, particularly in news, academic, and scientific contexts. While its directness makes it suitable for many situations, it's important to consider the context and audience, opting for more formal alternatives like "categorically incorrect" or "entirely incorrect" in professional settings. Remember to use it judiciously to avoid sounding overly assertive or dismissive.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Categorically incorrect

Emphasizes that something is completely and undeniably false.

Flatly mistaken

Highlights a clear and unambiguous error.

Utterly false

Stresses the complete lack of truth in a statement.

Completely erroneous

Focuses on the inaccuracy and deviation from what is correct.

Entirely incorrect

Indicates that every aspect of something is wrong.

Patently untrue

Suggests the falseness is obvious and easily recognized.

Dead wrong

An informal expression indicating a definite and total error.

Wholly inaccurate

Emphasizes the overall lack of precision or correctness.

Seriously flawed

Points out significant defects that undermine correctness.

Far from the truth

Indicates a significant deviation from reality or accuracy.

FAQs

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

Use "absolutely wrong" to express strong disagreement or contradiction. For example, "His assessment of the situation is "absolutely wrong"; he has overlooked key factors".

What are some alternatives to saying "absolutely wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "categorically incorrect", "flatly mistaken", or "utterly false" depending on the context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "absolutely wrong" in formal writing?

While "absolutely wrong" is generally acceptable, consider using a more formal alternative like "categorically incorrect" or "entirely incorrect" in highly formal contexts to maintain a professional tone.

What's the difference between "absolutely wrong" and "completely wrong"?

"Absolutely wrong" and "completely wrong" are very similar, but "absolutely wrong" often carries a stronger sense of certainty or conviction. Both indicate a total lack of correctness, but "absolutely" can add an extra layer of emphasis.