badly mistaken

USAGE SUMMARY

"badly mistaken" is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it when you want to emphasize that someone's assumption or belief is wrong or incorrect. For example, "He was badly mistaken in thinking that the lights would all be out by now."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

33 human-written examples

You are badly mistaken.

The Economist

But we believe that this way of thinking is badly mistaken and detrimental to social research.

The New York Times

"I'm sorry, he was badly mistaken," Mr. Burns told reporters during a news conference.

The New York Times

Democracy must be flawed to produce an electorate so badly mistaken.

The New York Times - Books

But if they thought this was a way to kick the issue into the long grass, they were badly mistaken.

Independent

But if the Saudis were hoping the timing would mean no one would notice they were badly mistaken.

The Guardian

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

26 human-written examples

Denmark started badly, a mistake from Kjaer allowing Yura Movsisyan to score after 27 seconds, and it got worse from there.

The Guardian - Sport

Mainstream and social media have been rough on the firm in the lead up to the Olympics, and after a series of well-publicized (or badly obscured) mistakes, the agency's name has become synonymous with failure even before the first flag has been twirled in earnest by a beatific child at the opening ceremony.

Vice

Mainstream and social media has rounded on the firm in the lead up to the Olympics, and after a series of well-publicised (or badly obscured) mistakes, the agency's name has become synonymous with failure even before the first flag has been twirled in earnest by a beatific child at the opening ceremony.

Vice

He writes, for example, about a soldier so badly injured that even gender is mistaken.

The New York Times - Health

On Slate, a documentary filmmaker named Shantrelle Lewis accused Beyoncé of profiting from tragedy, writing, "Are we in need of mainstream blackness so badly that we'll mistake its exploitation for validation?" Police unions throughout the country protested, saying that Beyoncé had an "anti-police message".

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "badly mistaken" to emphasize the degree to which someone's belief or understanding is incorrect. It adds a stronger sense of error than simply saying "mistaken."

Common error

While "badly mistaken" is a valid expression, overuse can make your writing sound repetitive. Vary your language by using synonyms such as "completely wrong" or "seriously in error" to maintain reader engagement.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "badly mistaken" functions as an adverb-adjective combination, modifying a subject and indicating the degree to which they are in error. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness, with various examples showing its use in expressing disagreement or correction.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

72%

Encyclopedias

8%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

4%

Formal & Business

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "badly mistaken" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to indicate that someone is significantly wrong in their belief or understanding. Ludwig AI validates its correctness, and its frequency across various contexts, particularly in News & Media, highlights its versatility. While appropriate in both formal and informal settings, it's essential to avoid overuse and consider synonyms like "completely wrong" or "seriously in error" for stylistic variation. By understanding its function, purpose, and common contexts, you can effectively incorporate "badly mistaken" into your writing to convey a strong sense of disagreement or correction.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completely wrong

Focuses on the absolute incorrectness of a statement or belief.

entirely incorrect

Emphasizes the total lack of accuracy.

seriously in error

Highlights the gravity of the mistake.

profoundly misguided

Suggests a deep misunderstanding leading to poor judgment.

way off the mark

An idiomatic expression indicating a significant deviation from the correct answer or understanding.

laboring under a delusion

Implies a persistent false belief, stronger than a simple mistake.

under a false impression

Highlights the misleading nature of the information received.

barking up the wrong tree

An idiomatic expression meaning pursuing a mistaken course of action.

misunderstood the situation

Focuses on the lack of comprehension.

under a misapprehension

Suggests a misunderstanding, typically of facts or circumstances.

FAQs

What does "badly mistaken" mean?

The phrase "badly mistaken" means that someone's belief or understanding is significantly incorrect or wrong. It implies a considerable error in judgment or perception.

How to use "badly mistaken" in a sentence?

You can use "badly mistaken" to describe someone's incorrect assumption or belief. For example, "If they think we will give up, they are "badly mistaken"."

What can I say instead of "badly mistaken"?

You can use alternatives like "completely wrong", "seriously in error", or "profoundly misguided" depending on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.

Is "badly mistaken" a formal or informal expression?

"Badly mistaken" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts. Its appropriateness depends more on the surrounding sentence structure and the overall tone of your writing.