certainly incorrect

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "certainly incorrect" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is definitely wrong or not accurate. Example: "The information provided in the report is certainly incorrect, as it contradicts the data we collected."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

20 human-written examples

Here, I was left with a suspicion, certainly incorrect, that you can find an Ishmael like Lepore on any island.

The New York Times - Books

To explain the actions of the Kiev cheka [secret police] only by the fact that two thirds were Jews, is certainly incorrect".

The Guardian

Does this reflect a belief (almost certainly incorrect) that Gore would have been less than vigorous in going after the terrorists?

The New Yorker

I have a memory, almost certainly incorrect, of a scene in Dante's "Inferno," where the traveler arrives in hell and so many desperate souls come rushing at him he swoons.

The New York Times

But that this represents a real schism in the scientific community, that large numbers of researchers take these positions and that it occupies a significant amount of scientific research, or that there is good evidence for that position is certainly incorrect.

The Guardian

Unfortunately, these systems must make extremely simple - and almost certainly incorrect - assumptions about the characteristics of the planets they are trying to describe.

Huffington Post

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

40 human-written examples

In a newspaper interview in 1995, he acknowledged being "certainly politically incorrect," and said: "I kid around.

The New York Times

He said in the same interview that he was "certainly politically incorrect" and that he saw "institutions weakened by crazy racial gerrymandering".

The New York Times

The New Yorker, August 4 , 1945P. 58 Certainly it incorrect to call Marshal Petain's trial for treason, in the Palais de Justice, one of the greatest trials in history.

The New Yorker

The European Central Bank president, Mario Draghi, said that market participants were "certainly not incorrect" to express such fears but that "they underestimate the strength of the political commitment by the euro area member countries".

The New York Times

I do take issue with the phrase 'another fly by the pants lightweight', which may or may not be accurate vis a 'vis Mr Obama but most certainly is incorrect in describing the current occupant.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "certainly incorrect" to express a strong conviction that something is wrong. It's suitable when you have evidence or a strong reason to believe in the inaccuracy.

Common error

Avoid using "certainly incorrect" when you only have a hunch or lack solid evidence. Overusing strong language without backing can weaken your argument and make you appear biased.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "certainly incorrect" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, expressing a strong degree of conviction about the inaccuracy of something. Ludwig AI's analysis and examples confirm its use to emphatically negate the correctness of a statement or assumption.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

30%

News & Media

50%

Wiki

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "certainly incorrect" is a grammatically sound and commonly used expression to convey a strong belief in the inaccuracy of something. Ludwig's analysis reveals that it functions as an adjective phrase, frequently appearing in news, media and scientific contexts. While "certainly" adds emphasis, it's crucial to use this phrase judiciously, backing it with evidence rather than mere assumption. As Ludwig AI indicates, this phrase is correct and usable when employed appropriately to convey conviction in the face of inaccuracy.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

definitely wrong

Directly states that something is wrong, simpler and more assertive.

assuredly inaccurate

Replaces "incorrect" with "inaccurate", adds emphasis with "assuredly".

undeniably false

Emphasizes the lack of truth with "false" and "undeniably".

categorically untrue

Uses "categorically" to strengthen the assertion of being "untrue".

positively mistaken

Suggests a stronger degree of error than simply being incorrect.

flatly wrong

A more informal and direct way of saying something is wrong.

indisputably flawed

Focuses on the presence of flaws making something incorrect.

patently erroneous

Emphasizes the obvious nature of the error.

demonstrably false

Implies that there is clear evidence to show that something is false.

unquestionably invalid

Suggests that something does not hold true after scrutiny.

FAQs

How can I use "certainly incorrect" in a sentence?

You can use "certainly incorrect" to express a strong belief that something is wrong, such as: "The initial hypothesis proved "certainly incorrect" after further analysis."

What are some alternatives to "certainly incorrect"?

Alternatives include phrases like "definitely wrong", "assuredly inaccurate", or "undeniably false", depending on the level of emphasis you want to convey.

Is there a difference between "certainly incorrect" and "probably incorrect"?

"Certainly incorrect" indicates a high degree of confidence in the inaccuracy, whereas "probably incorrect" suggests a likelihood but not a certainty.

When is it appropriate to use "certainly incorrect" in writing?

Use "certainly incorrect" when you have sufficient evidence or a strong justification to believe that a statement or piece of information is wrong. Avoid using it based on mere speculation.