are utterly mistaken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "are utterly mistaken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to assert that someone is completely wrong about a particular belief or statement. Example: "If you think that the project will be completed on time without any additional resources, you are utterly mistaken."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

However, I think that they are utterly mistaken in suggesting that a reasonable solution is for all Americans to work until 69 or 70 simply because the average life expectancy has increased since the 1970s.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

… Daniel Emery, Oconomowoc, Wis.: The suggestion that the upper class simply outcompetes the working class is utterly mistaken.

The New York Times

The basic assumption made in 1948 that demand would decline as the nation's health improved turned out to be utterly mistaken.

The Economist

Since each such judgment is of the form "[It is true that] action of the kind phi is always [or generally] wrong [or: is generally to be done, etc.]" or "phi is [always] [or: generally] required [or forbidden] by reason", it must be the case – as Aquinas stresses very forcefully – that one's conscience is binding upon oneself even when it is utterly mistaken and directs or licenses awful misdeeds.

SEP

One might assume that with a group of mature adults, the tribes would be able to maintain some air of civility, but you would be utterly mistaken.

Huffington Post

In short, the public perception of crime rates soaring out of control is utterly mistaken, not only in the U.S., which has seen a dramatic drop in all categories of crime since the early 1990s, but also in most other first-world nations as well.

Huffington Post

In the 7,000-person 7,000-personland Heights, that's an impressive turnout – though, in an arena that seats almost 10,000, the two ralliers who expressed surprise at the small size of the cityd weren't utterly mistaken either.

The Guardian

Bragg, the presenter of Radio 4's In Our Time, told the Guardian: "The BBC being asked to be part of the social services and look after [Welsh language channel] S4C and the World Service, and now the over-75s, is completely and utterly mistaken and wrong.

The Guardian

"These people are utterly vulnerable.

Independent

The players are utterly alone.

The New Yorker

Both halves are utterly fantastic.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "are utterly mistaken" to express a strong disagreement or to correct a significant misunderstanding, especially when you want to emphasize the completeness of the error.

Common error

Avoid using "are utterly mistaken" in casual conversations; it can sound overly formal or even condescending. Opt for simpler alternatives like "are completely wrong" in less formal settings.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "are utterly mistaken" functions as a judgmental statement expressing strong disagreement or correction. Ludwig provides examples demonstrating its use in contexts where a speaker or writer believes someone's opinion or assumption is completely wrong.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

21%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

5%

Wiki

4%

Reference

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "are utterly mistaken" is a strong and direct way to express that someone is completely wrong. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and provides real-world examples predominantly from news and media, science, and formal business contexts. While effective for emphasizing a point, it's important to consider the context and audience to avoid sounding overly formal or condescending. Simpler alternatives like "are completely wrong" or "have it wrong" may be more appropriate for informal settings. Use this phrase judiciously to ensure your message is clear and well-received.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

are completely wrong

This alternative replaces "utterly mistaken" with a more direct and common expression of disagreement.

have it completely wrong

This alternative shifts the focus to the act of understanding, emphasizing a total misunderstanding.

are entirely incorrect

This alternative uses "entirely incorrect" to emphasize the complete lack of correctness.

couldn't be more wrong

This alternative uses a comparative structure to highlight the extent of the error.

are absolutely misguided

This alternative uses "absolutely misguided" to suggest that the underlying reasoning is flawed.

are totally deluded

This alternative implies a stronger sense of being deceived or misled.

are far from the truth

This alternative focuses on the distance from accuracy, suggesting a significant deviation.

are dead wrong

This alternative is a more emphatic and informal way of saying someone is completely wrong.

are operating under a false assumption

This alternative specifies that the mistake stems from a flawed premise.

are barking up the wrong tree

This is an idiomatic expression that means someone is pursuing the wrong course of action or asking the wrong person.

FAQs

How can I use "are utterly mistaken" in a sentence?

You can use "are utterly mistaken" to express strong disagreement, such as, "If you believe this project will succeed without additional funding, you "are utterly mistaken"."

What is a less formal way to say "are utterly mistaken"?

Alternatives include "are completely wrong", "are dead wrong", or "have it wrong", depending on the context and level of formality.

Is "utterly mistaken" stronger than "mistaken"?

Yes, "utterly mistaken" is stronger. The word "utterly" emphasizes the completeness of the error, making it a more forceful expression than simply saying "mistaken".

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "are utterly mistaken"?

It's appropriate in situations where you want to strongly correct a misjudgment or misunderstanding, especially in professional or formal contexts. However, consider the audience and avoid using it in situations where it might come across as overly critical or condescending.