decidedly wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "decidedly wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is clearly or unmistakably incorrect or erroneous. Example: "The conclusion drawn from the data was decidedly wrong, leading to a flawed analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

8 human-written examples

Mr. Carbone called the comparisons "decidedly wrong".

The New York Times

There is something decidedly wrong about the music Bitchratch make.

The Guardian - Music

But if he is taken literally (as a believer in the inerrancy of the Bible should be), he is decidedly wrong.

The New York Times - Books

They were badly wrong about the Iraq war (even going so far as to savage the wars critics); wrong about the surge in Afghanistan (is still badly wrong about current policy there); and is decidedly wrong on Chuck Hagel.

The Guardian - Opinion

In "Old School Ties," which runs on June 29, the wealthy climb and climb, and a once-imprisoned computer hacker, from the decidedly wrong side of the river, makes a windfall with a memoir, but you know his luck won't sustain itself for long.

The New York Times - Arts

Against this backdrop of half-finished buildings and increasing tuition for the 5,000 students enrolled in the university's eight schools of medicine, nursing and other biomedical sciences around the state, the announcement earlier this year of a lavish celebration marking Dr. Petillo's inauguration hit a decidedly wrong note.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

52 human-written examples

People had read about how miserable I was during the time frame, how my experience was decidedly the wrong way to lose weight, and they still wanted my exact diet and workout regime.

Vice

China is decidedly at the wrong end of the Five Eyes telescopes.

The Guardian

For a country that once led the world in educating its citizens, we are now moving decidedly in the wrong direction.

The New York Times

D'Indy also followed Wagner's lead by dabbling in anti-Semitic polemics (he and the painter Edgar Degas were decidedly on the wrong side of the Dreyfus Affair in the 1890s), and that, perhaps even more than the intrinsic quality of his music, has colored posterity's dim view of him and contributed to his present obscurity.

The New York Times - Arts

With three years completed in his term, President Barack Obama is moving decidedly in the wrong direction on animal welfare issues, earning a grade of "C-minus" for 2011 according to a Report Card produced by The Humane Society of the United States.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "decidedly wrong" to express a strong disagreement or to highlight a clear error, especially when addressing opinions or predictions.

Common error

While "decidedly wrong" is acceptable, its somewhat formal tone might sound stilted in casual conversations. Choose more relaxed alternatives like "completely off" or "totally mistaken" for everyday use.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "decidedly wrong" functions as an adverbial modifier intensifying the adjective "wrong". Ludwig confirms this phrase is grammatically sound. The adverb "decidedly" emphasizes the degree to which something is incorrect.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

100%

Less common in

Science

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "decidedly wrong" is a grammatically correct and usable expression, as confirmed by Ludwig, functioning as an adverbial modifier to emphasize the incorrectness of something. While considered acceptable for use, it is more commonly found in neutral contexts like news and media. Alternatives such as "categorically incorrect" or "absolutely false" can be used depending on the context. When using this phrase, it's best to consider its slightly formal tone and ensure it fits the overall style of your writing.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

categorically incorrect

Emphasizes a strong and unambiguous denial of correctness.

absolutely false

Highlights the complete lack of truth or accuracy.

patently erroneous

Stresses the obvious and undeniable nature of the error.

indisputably mistaken

Suggests that there is no room for argument about the error.

unquestionably incorrect

Indicates that the incorrectness is beyond any doubt.

demonstrably false

Highlights that the falseness can be proven or shown.

clearly mistaken

Emphasizes the straightforward and evident nature of the mistake.

plainly wrong

Simple and direct way to express incorrectness.

thoroughly inaccurate

Focuses on the high degree of inaccuracy.

completely off

Informal way of expressing a total deviation from what is correct.

FAQs

What does "decidedly wrong" mean?

The phrase "decidedly wrong" means clearly or unmistakably incorrect. It emphasizes the degree to which something is wrong.

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

You can use "decidedly wrong" to express a strong disagreement or to highlight a clear error. For example: "His prediction about the market was "clearly mistaken", proving him "decidedly wrong"."

What are some alternatives to "decidedly wrong"?

Alternatives include phrases like "categorically incorrect", "absolutely false", or "patently erroneous", depending on the context and the desired level of formality.

Is "decidedly wrong" formal or informal?

The phrase "decidedly wrong" leans towards a more formal register. In casual conversations, simpler alternatives like "completely off" or "totally mistaken" might be more appropriate.