altogether wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "altogether wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is completely incorrect or erroneous. Example: "The conclusion drawn from the data was altogether wrong, leading to misguided decisions."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

He was not altogether wrong.

The Guardian - Arts

The impression was not altogether wrong.

The New York Times

Perhaps – and maybe there is nothing altogether wrong with that.

The Guardian - Opinion

But the agencies are not altogether wrong to behave this way.

The Economist

It is easy and not altogether wrong to blame the media.

The Guardian

It's tempting, and not altogether wrong, to dismiss the question as trivial, or beside the point.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

Some of it looked decent, and it wasn't altogether inedible, but the textures were all wrong and almost everything came out dry, rubbery, and grayish.

Vice

Richard III is altogether the wrong model for a modern political tragedy: better to try Shakespeare's Coriolanus and the Roman mob.

The Economist

"It's not even a particularly beautiful sound, to my ears," he said, "but rather one that is jangly, spiky and angular -- altogether the wrong aesthetic for the Anglican choral tradition" at the core of the church's mission.

The New York Times

According to UKBA, the people replenishing the pillow mints at this place are likely to be altogether the "wrong" type of foreigner.

Vice

But the cacophony of demands for college affordability that we hear from virtually every stakeholder (particularly those in Washington D.C ., the introduction of the "bad list" of colleges priced too high, and the increased marketing emphasis on affordability send altogether the wrong message.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "altogether wrong" to soften a negative assessment, suggesting that while something is incorrect, it may not be entirely without merit or justification.

Common error

While "altogether wrong" is acceptable, overuse in formal contexts can make your writing sound less authoritative. Consider using more direct alternatives like "completely incorrect" or "entirely mistaken" for a stronger impact.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "altogether wrong" functions as an adverbial modifier that qualifies the adjective 'wrong'. It indicates the degree or extent to which something is incorrect. Ludwig confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

85%

Science

8%

Encyclopedias

4%

Less common in

Formal & Business

1%

Wiki

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "altogether wrong" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase that functions as an adverbial modifier. It expresses a nuanced disagreement, indicating that something is not entirely accurate but may possess some merit. As highlighted by Ludwig, the phrase frequently appears in news and media contexts, with a neutral register. While acceptable, it's advisable to consider stronger alternatives like "completely incorrect" in formal writing to ensure clarity and authority. When using "altogether wrong", aim to convey a sense of partial inaccuracy rather than complete falsehood.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely incorrect

Emphasizes the total lack of correctness, similar to "altogether wrong" but more direct.

entirely mistaken

Highlights the error in understanding or perception, conveying a sense of misjudgment.

utterly flawed

Focuses on the presence of a significant defect or fault, implying a fundamental problem.

wholly inaccurate

Stresses the complete absence of accuracy, reinforcing the idea of being incorrect.

totally erroneous

Highlights that something is deviated from truth and is incorrect in information.

absolutely false

Underlines the lack of truth or validity, suggesting a clear departure from reality.

plainly wrong

Indicates that the error is obvious and easily discernible, making it a clear mistake.

far from correct

Suggests a significant distance from being accurate or right, implying a considerable deviation.

not at all right

Emphasizes the lack of correctness, indicating that something is definitely not accurate.

off the mark

Focuses on the failure to achieve the intended target or goal, implying a lack of precision.

FAQs

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

Use "altogether wrong" to indicate that something is not entirely accurate, but there may be some truth or justification to it. For example, "His assessment of the situation wasn't "altogether wrong", but it was incomplete".

What phrases are similar to "altogether wrong"?

Alternatives to "altogether wrong" include "completely incorrect", "entirely mistaken", or "wholly inaccurate", each varying slightly in emphasis.

Is it better to say "completely wrong" or "altogether wrong"?

Both "completely wrong" and "altogether wrong" are grammatically correct. "Completely wrong" is more direct and forceful, while "altogether wrong" can imply a nuanced assessment where something is mostly incorrect but not entirely so.

What does it mean when someone says something is "not altogether wrong"?

When someone says something is "not "altogether wrong"", it means that while there are inaccuracies or problems with it, it's not completely without merit or validity. There may be some truth or justification present.