completely mistaken

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "completely mistaken" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe someone who is entirely wrong about a particular belief or idea. Example: "After reviewing the evidence, it became clear that he was completely mistaken about the facts of the case."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

36 human-written examples

"No, well, they're completely mistaken.

The Guardian

She is completely mistaken on that count.

The New York Times

Our idea of what is productive can be completely mistaken.

Independent

But you are completely mistaken in suggesting that all subsidies to promote cleaner technologies are wrong.

The Economist

"Anyone who thinks that Berlusconi is dead and buried is completely mistaken," Mr. Casini said.

The New York Times

This was, of course, a completely mistaken and counterproductive strategy; it was, in fact, idiocy.

The Guardian - Opinion

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

24 human-written examples

With the same impulse for reduction and sheer negligence he manages to completely mistake Khomeini's participation in a centuries-old Sufi poetic tradition that analogises spiritual ecstasy with material intoxication for some kind of repressed Persian angst.

The Guardian - Opinion

Playing around (on a Mac laptop) I found the app quite fun, if a bit slow to recognise and post the letters I was speaking out, and more than once it seemed to completely mistake one letter for another.

TechCrunch

"Anybody who looks for something on any search engine and thinks the results are the best or most impartial results, or that they came back completely organically is totally mistaken," said Danny Sullivan, the editor of Search Engine Watch, an online news site aimed at the search marketing industry.

The New York Times

"If the new officials in the United States believe that the violation of the J.C.P.O.A. will bring pressure on Iran, they are completely and absolutely mistaken," Rouhani said in the press conference.

The New Yorker

Bragg, the presenter of Radio 4's In Our Time, told the Guardian: "The BBC being asked to be part of the social services and look after [Welsh language channel] S4C and the World Service, and now the over-75s, is completely and utterly mistaken and wrong.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "completely mistaken", ensure that the context clearly indicates what the subject is wrong about to avoid ambiguity. For instance, specify, 'He was completely mistaken about the due date.'

Common error

Avoid using "completely mistaken" when the error is minor or only partially incorrect; using a less absolute term like "partially mistaken" or "slightly off" is more appropriate in such cases.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "completely mistaken" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun, describing someone's state of being entirely wrong about something. Ludwig AI confirms this is a correct and usable English phrase.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

News & Media

65%

Science

15%

Encyclopedias

8%

Less common in

Wiki

5%

Formal & Business

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "completely mistaken" is a commonly used phrase functioning as an adjective phrase to denote that someone is entirely wrong. Ludwig AI indicates that the expression is grammatically correct and appropriate for use in written English. The phrase is frequently found in news and media, science, and encyclopedic contexts, and has a neutral to formal tone. When using "completely mistaken", ensure that the context clarifies the subject of the error. When appropriate, consider alternatives such as "totally wrong" or "entirely incorrect" depending on the desired level of formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

entirely incorrect

Replaces "mistaken" with "incorrect" maintaining a formal tone.

totally wrong

Uses "totally" instead of "completely" for a slightly more informal tone.

absolutely wrong

Substitutes "completely" with "absolutely" to emphasize the degree of being mistaken.

utterly wrong

Employs "utterly" in place of "completely" for a stronger emphasis on the incorrectness.

wholly inaccurate

Replaces both words with synonyms for a more formal and emphatic tone.

patently false

Indicates that the mistaken idea is obviously untrue.

dead wrong

A more colloquial expression emphasizing absolute incorrectness.

in complete error

Shifts the structure to focus on the state of being in error.

laboring under a misapprehension

Implies a misunderstanding is the cause of the mistake.

under a delusion

Suggests a more profound and persistent false belief.

FAQs

How can I use "completely mistaken" in a sentence?

You can use "completely mistaken" to express that someone's belief or understanding is entirely wrong. For example, "If you think this project will be easy, you are "completely mistaken"."

What can I say instead of "completely mistaken"?

You can use alternatives like "totally wrong", "entirely incorrect", or "absolutely wrong" depending on the context.

Is it better to say "completely mistaken" or "partially mistaken"?

The choice depends on the degree of error. Use "completely mistaken" when someone is entirely wrong and "partially mistaken" when they are only partly wrong.

What's the difference between "completely mistaken" and "dead wrong"?

"Completely mistaken" is a more formal and neutral expression, while "dead wrong" is a colloquialism that emphasizes the absolute incorrectness of something.