clearly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

"clearly wrong" is a grammatically correct phrase that can be used in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that is obviously incorrect or mistaken. Example: The politician's statement was clearly wrong and caused a lot of controversy.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"It was clearly wrong".

The Guardian

That was clearly wrong.

The Guardian - Business

But that's clearly wrong.

The Guardian

"Something is clearly wrong".

The New York Times

"Well, that's clearly wrong.

The Guardian

SOMEONE'S sums are clearly wrong.

The Economist

Something here is clearly wrong.

The New York Times

Accepted wisdom is clearly wrong.

The Guardian - Music

There's something clearly wrong here.

The Guardian - Sport

"That's just so clearly wrong," she said.

The Guardian

Something is clearly wrong with this.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "clearly wrong" to express a strong disagreement or point out an obvious error. It is effective when you want to emphasize that there is no room for doubt about the incorrectness of something.

Common error

While "clearly wrong" is acceptable in many contexts, avoid overusing it in highly formal or academic writing. Opt for more nuanced and precise language to articulate your disagreement or correction.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "clearly wrong" functions as an adverbial phrase modifying an adjective. It intensifies the adjective 'wrong', indicating that something is obviously and undeniably incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

68%

Science

20%

Opinion

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "clearly wrong" is a grammatically sound and frequently used expression to denote an obvious error or mistake. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is suitable for general usage, though formal contexts may benefit from more nuanced language. Predominantly found in News & Media and Science, its function is to strongly express disagreement or point out inaccuracies. Alternatives such as "patently incorrect" or "obviously mistaken" offer similar meanings with slight variations in emphasis. When using "clearly wrong", ensure it aligns with the intended level of formality, opting for more precise language in academic or professional settings. Overall, this phrase serves as a straightforward way to highlight something that is undeniably incorrect.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

patently incorrect

Replaces 'wrong' with 'incorrect' and 'clearly' with 'patently' emphasizing the obviousness of the error.

obviously mistaken

Substitutes 'wrong' with 'mistaken' and 'clearly' with 'obviously', highlighting the error in judgment or perception.

manifestly false

Replaces 'wrong' with 'false' and 'clearly' with 'manifestly', stressing the undeniable untruth.

plainly erroneous

Changes 'wrong' to 'erroneous' and 'clearly' to 'plainly', indicating an error that is easily recognized.

undeniably flawed

Replaces 'wrong' with 'flawed' and 'clearly' with 'undeniably', pointing out an imperfection or defect that cannot be disputed.

indisputably incorrect

Substitutes 'clearly' with 'indisputably', reinforcing that there is no room for argument about its wrongness.

demonstrably untrue

Replaces 'wrong' with 'untrue' and 'clearly' with 'demonstrably', meaning the statement has been proven wrong.

categorically false

Implies a firm and unambiguous rejection of something as wrong.

blatantly wrong

Uses 'blatantly' to amplify how obvious the error is, often with a negative connotation.

palpably false

Replaces 'wrong' with 'false' and 'clearly' with 'palpably,' indicating that the falseness is easily perceived or felt.

FAQs

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

You can use "clearly wrong" to express strong disagreement or to point out an obvious error. For example, "His calculation was "clearly wrong", leading to an incorrect conclusion."

What are some alternatives to saying "clearly wrong"?

Alternatives include "patently incorrect", "obviously mistaken", or "manifestly false", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "clearly wrong" too informal for academic writing?

While generally acceptable, "clearly wrong" might be perceived as less formal in academic contexts. Consider using more precise and nuanced language, such as "demonstrably untrue" or "plainly erroneous", to maintain a higher level of formality.

What's the difference between "clearly wrong" and "slightly off"?

"Clearly wrong" indicates an obvious and significant error, whereas "slightly off" suggests a minor inaccuracy. The choice depends on the magnitude of the error you are describing.