definitely wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

Definitely wrong is correct and usable in written English.
For example, "I knew my answer was definitely wrong when I saw the teacher's disappointed expression."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Something was definitely wrong.

The New York Times - Magazine

But you're definitely wrong".

The Guardian

"Something is definitely wrong here.

The Guardian

"Mr. John Doe" is definitely wrong.

The New York Times

Father (with relief): "She's definitely wrong".

The New Yorker

Something was mostly definitely wrong with me.

The Guardian - Opinion

Something is definitely wrong with this team.

The New York Times - Sports

"If they did that, it was definitely wrong".

The New York Times

"There aren't things that are definitely right or definitely wrong.

The New York Times - Books

"I immediately knew something was definitely wrong," Dr. Nocera said.

The New York Times

And it's definitely wrong to be missing Jo Frost.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "definitely wrong", ensure your statement is supported by evidence or reasoning, as it conveys a high degree of certainty.

Common error

Avoid using "definitely wrong" excessively in formal writing or professional communication. Over-reliance on this phrase can make your tone seem less objective and more opinionated. Instead, opt for more neutral and precise alternatives, such as "the data suggests an error" or "the findings are inconsistent with previous research".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "definitely wrong" functions as an intensifier (definitely) modifying an adjective (wrong). Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and widely used to express a strong conviction that something is incorrect.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Science

18%

Wiki

11%

Less common in

Formal & Business

3%

Encyclopedias

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "definitely wrong" functions as an intensifier modifying the adjective "wrong", used to express a strong conviction of something being incorrect. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and common usage across various contexts. While it appears most frequently in News & Media sources, it's also present in Science and Wiki contexts. Although versatile, remember to consider the formality of your writing, opting for more neutral or precise language in formal settings. Considering that it is usually intended to contradict or dismiss something, it's important to ensure that such statements are well supported by facts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

certainly incorrect

Emphasizes the lack of correctness with a high degree of confidence.

absolutely mistaken

Highlights the error in judgment or understanding.

categorically false

Focuses on the factual inaccuracy of the statement.

patently untrue

Suggests the falseness is obvious and easily apparent.

unquestionably inaccurate

Indicates there is no room for doubt regarding the inaccuracy.

indisputably incorrect

Emphasizes that the statement cannot be argued against.

flat-out wrong

An informal way of saying something is completely incorrect.

clearly erroneous

Highlights the obvious nature of the mistake.

wholly inaccurate

Indicates that something is completely or entirely inaccurate.

demonstrably false

Highlights that the statement's falseness can be proven.

FAQs

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

You can use "definitely wrong" to express strong disagreement or to indicate that something is incorrect. For instance, "His calculations were "definitely wrong", leading to inaccurate results."

What are some alternatives to "definitely wrong"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "certainly incorrect", "absolutely mistaken", or "categorically false".

Is it appropriate to use "definitely wrong" in formal writing?

While "definitely wrong" is acceptable in many contexts, it may be perceived as too informal for some formal writing. Consider using more precise and neutral alternatives in such cases.

What's the difference between ""definitely wrong"" and "probably wrong"?

"Definitely wrong" indicates a strong conviction of incorrectness, while "probably wrong" suggests a higher likelihood of being incorrect but with some level of uncertainty.