clearly erroneous

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "clearly erroneous" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used in legal contexts to describe a decision or finding that is obviously wrong based on the evidence presented. Example: "The judge's ruling was found to be clearly erroneous, leading to a reversal of the decision on appeal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Formal & Business

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

"We have provisions to deal with clearly erroneous trades.

The New York Times

The court's findings, in our view, are clearly erroneous.

The New York Times

We conclude that the district court's contrary findings are clearly erroneous.

The New York Times

Most of his sales had been canceled, on the ground that the prices were "clearly erroneous".

The New York Times

For a government department to propose a blanket position of Muslim women is clearly erroneous.

The Guardian - Opinion

The only question that this Court should decide is whether the district court's finding of racial predominance was clearly erroneous.

The New York Times

"Microsoft believes the district court's finding on this matter is clearly erroneous," said Jim Desler, a company spokesman.

The New York Times

Microsoft then filed a motion for a rehearing on that issue, asserting that the finding was "clearly erroneous".

The New York Times

Appeals courts typically say they require proof that a judge's factual determinations were "clearly erroneous" to overturn them.

The New York Times

The N.H.L. offer provided for an appeal process involving a neutral arbitrator on a "clearly erroneous" standard.

The New York Times

"They are supposed to take as true facts found by the district court, unless they are clearly erroneous," he said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clearly erroneous" to critique findings of facts, judgments, and expert testimonies.

Common error

Avoid using "clearly erroneous" in casual conversation or informal writing, as its formal tone might sound out of place. Opt for simpler alternatives like "obviously wrong" or "plainly mistaken" instead.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly erroneous" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun (such as finding, decision, statement, etc.). It is used to express that something is obviously and demonstrably incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase follows standard grammar rules.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

47%

Science

20%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clearly erroneous" is a formal adjective phrase used to describe something that is obviously and demonstrably incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct and frequently used. It is prevalent in legal, formal, and professional contexts, as evidenced by its high occurrence in news media, formal business, and scientific sources. While alternatives like "patently wrong" or "plainly mistaken" exist, "clearly erroneous" carries a specific weight and should be used judiciously, particularly in formal writing. The phrase often critiques findings of facts, judgments, and expert testimonies.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently wrong

Emphasizes the obviousness and indisputability of the error.

plainly mistaken

Highlights the simplicity and ease with which the mistake can be identified.

obviously incorrect

Directly states the lack of correctness in an evident manner.

manifestly inaccurate

Stresses the undeniable and apparent nature of the inaccuracy.

indisputably flawed

Focuses on the inability to argue against the existence of a defect.

demonstrably false

Implies that the falsity can be proven through evidence.

decidedly mistaken

Emphasizes the certainty with which the error is identified.

unequivocally wrong

Suggests there is no ambiguity or doubt about the error.

palpably untrue

Highlights the tangibility and obviousness of the untruth.

conclusively invalid

Implies that the invalidity has been definitively established.

FAQs

How is "clearly erroneous" used in a legal context?

In law, "clearly erroneous" is a standard of review used by appellate courts. It means the appellate court can only overturn a lower court's finding of fact if it has a definite and firm conviction that a mistake has been committed. This standard gives deference to the original fact-finder.

What are some alternatives to "clearly erroneous" in less formal settings?

In less formal settings, you can use phrases like "obviously incorrect", "plainly mistaken", or "patently wrong" to convey a similar meaning without sounding overly formal.

Is "clearly erroneous" the same as "probably wrong"?

No, "clearly erroneous" implies a much stronger degree of certainty than "probably wrong". "Clearly erroneous" suggests that the error is evident and leaves little room for doubt, whereas "probably wrong" indicates a possibility of error but not necessarily an obvious one.

When is it appropriate to use the term "clearly erroneous"?

It is appropriate to use the term "clearly erroneous" when you have strong evidence that a decision or finding is wrong, and you want to emphasize the obviousness and significance of the error, particularly in professional and formal contexts.