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Justyna Jupowicz-Kozak

CEO of Professional Science Editing for Scientists @ prosciediting.com

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be necessarily wrong

Grammar usage guide and real-world examples

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "be necessarily wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing the certainty or inevitability of something being incorrect or flawed. Example: "While some may argue that the theory is valid, it cannot be said to be necessarily wrong without further evidence."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

If the will does not act in agreement with the rationally derived first principle then it must be necessarily wrong.

Science

SEP

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

This does not mean that the inclusion of motions in the categories of action and passion would be necessarily wrong-headed.

Science

SEP

That's not because their case is necessarily wrong.

It's not that this approach is necessarily wrong.

News & Media

The Guardian

It's not that they are necessarily wrong to bash excessive austerity.

News & Media

The New York Times

Or perhaps not; the point isn't that all those counterintuitive alternatives are necessarily wrong.

Just because some critics are nimbys doesn't mean they're necessarily wrong.

"I mean, I'm not saying it is necessarily wrong," she said.

News & Media

The New York Times

The fact that Aslan's take on Jesus is not original doesn't mean it's necessarily wrong.

News & Media

The New York Times

It's not that she's necessarily wrong; it's that she just doesn't seem to care whether she's right.

News & Media

The Guardian

Unfortunately, it's utter codswallop – not because it's necessarily wrong about social enterprises, but because it's wrong about businesses which are not social enterprises.

News & Media

The Guardian
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Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "be necessarily wrong", ensure that you're not implying that something is definitely incorrect without sufficient evidence. It suggests a high probability or logical consequence, but not absolute certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "be necessarily wrong" when you only suspect an error. This phrase implies a logical necessity, so ensure your claim is supported by strong reasoning or evidence; otherwise, use softer language like "may be wrong" or "could be incorrect".

Antonio Rotolo, PhD - Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Antonio Rotolo, PhD

Digital Humanist | Computational Linguist | CEO @Ludwig.guru

Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Linguistic Context

The phrase "be necessarily wrong" functions as a modal verb phrase used to express a judgment about the inevitability of something being incorrect. As Ludwig AI shows, the phrase appears in contexts where logic or principles dictate the outcome.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

35%

Science

33%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Wiki

6%

Encyclopedias

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "be necessarily wrong" is a grammatically correct expression used to indicate that something is inevitably or logically incorrect. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears commonly in news, science, and academic contexts, suggesting a neutral to formal register. When using this phrase, ensure you are not overstating certainty without sufficient evidence. Alternatives such as "must be incorrect" or "is bound to be erroneous" may be more appropriate in some cases. Remember that while it implies a strong likelihood of error, it does not equate to absolute certainty.

FAQs

How can I use "be necessarily wrong" in a sentence?

You can use "be necessarily wrong" to indicate that something is incorrect as a logical consequence of certain principles or facts. For example: "If the will does not act in agreement with the rationally derived first principle then it must "be necessarily wrong"."

What are some alternatives to saying "be necessarily wrong"?

Alternatives include "must be incorrect", "is inevitably flawed", or "is bound to be erroneous", depending on the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Is it the same to say "be necessarily wrong" as "is probably wrong"?

No, "be necessarily wrong" implies a higher degree of certainty than "is probably wrong". The former suggests a logical necessity, while the latter indicates a possibility or likelihood.

What's the difference between "be necessarily wrong" and "be absolutely wrong"?

"Be absolutely wrong" implies a complete and undeniable error, while "be necessarily wrong" suggests the error is a logical consequence of certain conditions. The former is a stronger, more definitive statement.

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Source & Trust

86%

Authority and reliability

4.5/5

Expert rating

Real-world application tested

Most frequent sentences: