clear wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clear wrong" is not standard in written English and may be confusing.
It could be used when discussing something that is obviously incorrect or unjust, but it is better to use a more established phrase. Example: "The decision to deny her application was a clear wrong that needed to be addressed."

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

3 human-written examples

It righted a clear wrong.

The Economist

As a frail warbling rose around the plinth, all became clear: Wrong Michael.

The New Yorker

Adrian is a clear wrong 'un, but has flattered Leila (or "Shadowfax", her Red Pill name) by promoting her to the rank of "Elite Thinker" on the site.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

57 human-written examples

They routinely relied on an assumption that victims would be too intimidated or disgusted to even attempt redress for clear wrongs".

The Guardian

Their memories were vivid, clear — and wrong.

The New Yorker

"That charge, they make clear, is wrong," Mr. Keller wrote.

The New York Times

His characters are unable, in Larkin's phrase, to climb clear of wrong beginnings.

The Guardian - Film

Of course, when there's a clear corporate wrong, like Unilever's mercury poisoning in south India, an angry aggressive campaign makes sense.

The Guardian

It is clear what’s wrong with higher education.

Forbes

It is only with hindsight that it is clear how wrong, even - looking back - how potentially treacherous some of them were".

BBC

In a sentence, Williams politely made clear everything wrong with the way the question was phrased.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "clear wrong", consider whether a more common phrase such as "obvious error" or "blatant mistake" might be more readily understood by your audience.

Common error

Avoid using "clear wrong" repeatedly in formal writing; diversify your language with synonyms like "evident mistake" or "palpable error" to enhance clarity and avoid sounding repetitive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clear wrong" functions as a descriptor, modifying a noun or situation to emphasize its obvious incorrectness or injustice. Examples from Ludwig, like 'It righted a clear wrong', show it used to highlight an easily identifiable error.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

75%

Science

12%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "clear wrong" is used to describe something that is obviously incorrect or unjust. While grammatically acceptable, it is not as common as alternatives like "obvious error" or "blatant mistake". As Ludwig AI indicates, the phrase is often found in news and media contexts. When writing, consider whether more common alternatives might provide greater clarity for your audience. It is considered 'Acceptable' but less common than its alternatives.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

plainly wrong

Highlights that something is clearly incorrect or inappropriate.

obvious error

Focuses on the mistake being easily noticeable.

evident mistake

Highlights that the error is easily seen or understood.

blatant injustice

Emphasizes the obvious unfairness of the situation.

obvious wrongdoing

Highlights that the act is plainly immoral or illegal.

palpable error

Indicates the error is so obvious it can be 'felt'.

manifest injustice

Stresses that the unfairness is clearly apparent or obvious.

unambiguous error

Focuses on lack of confusion about the mistake.

unmistakable mistake

Points out that the error cannot be confused with anything else.

patent error

Indicates the error is so evident it's almost guaranteed to be noticed.

FAQs

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

You can use "clear wrong" to describe something that is obviously incorrect or unjust. For instance, "The decision to deny her application was a clear wrong that needed to be addressed."

What are some alternatives to "clear wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "obvious error", "evident mistake", or "blatant injustice" depending on the specific context.

Is "clear wrong" grammatically correct?

While "clear wrong" is understandable, it's not as common as alternatives. It's grammatically acceptable but may sound slightly unusual to some readers.

When is it appropriate to use "clear wrong"?

It's appropriate to use "clear wrong" when you want to emphasize that something is obviously wrong or incorrect. However, consider whether more common phrases like "obvious mistake" might be more effective.