downright wrong

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "downright wrong" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to emphasize that something is completely incorrect or morally unacceptable. Example: "The decision to ignore the evidence was downright wrong and should be reconsidered."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

44 human-written examples

"That's just downright wrong".

The New Yorker

"That's downright wrong," Ms. Lewis said.

The New York Times

The 'legal information' provided is at least in part practically useless, and in part downright wrong.

The Guardian

And still others, including some of Microsoft's principal competitors, argue that Mr. Gates is downright wrong.

The New York Times

But effective though analogies may be, they are never exactly appropriate and sometimes are downright wrong.

The New York Times

Under careful scrutiny, these assumptions are at best debatable, and at worst downright wrong.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

16 human-written examples

It's been dirty, downright, righteous, wrong, passionate, mad, bad, and then mad some more again … just like most functioning elections.

The Guardian - Books

Fear, numbness, despair -- it all seems wrong, downright ungrateful.

The New York Times

Serving emotionally charged customers can be difficult, draining, and downright miserable for the wrong employee.

Harvard Business Review

To suggest he's doing anything else is wrong and downright silly".

The Guardian - Lifestyle

Outside the wall, in the realm of human behavior, applications of evolutionary thinking are typically treated as irrelevant at best; usually as pernicious, wrong, and downright dangerous.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "downright wrong" to express strong disagreement or disapproval, particularly when emphasizing the ethical or factual incorrectness of a statement or action.

Common error

While "downright wrong" is widely understood, it can sound less formal than alternatives like "categorically incorrect" in professional or academic writing. Opt for a more formal phrasing if the situation calls for it.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "downright wrong" functions as an adjective phrase that modifies a noun or pronoun. It intensifies the assessment that something is incorrect or inappropriate. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

74%

Academia

13%

Science

9%

Less common in

Formal & Business

2%

Wiki

2%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "downright wrong" is a commonly used and grammatically correct adjective phrase that intensifies the assessment of something being incorrect or inappropriate. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and widespread use across various contexts, primarily in News & Media. While effective for conveying strong disagreement, it is advisable to consider more formal alternatives like "categorically incorrect" in professional or academic settings. The phrase serves to express a firm conviction and should be used judiciously to maintain appropriate tone and formality.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absolutely incorrect

Emphasizes the complete lack of correctness, similar to "downright wrong".

utterly mistaken

Focuses on the error in understanding or judgment, akin to being "downright wrong".

patently false

Highlights the obvious falsity of something, much like "downright wrong" does.

blatantly inaccurate

Stresses the obvious lack of accuracy, mirroring the emphasis in "downright wrong".

categorically untrue

Underlines the firm and decisive nature of the falsehood, comparable to "downright wrong".

completely unacceptable

Shifts focus to the unacceptability of something, a potential implication of being "downright wrong".

totally indefensible

Highlights the lack of justification, similar to the negative connotation of "downright wrong".

plain wrong

A more straightforward, less emphatic way of saying "downright wrong".

flat-out wrong

Uses informal language to express the direct and complete incorrectness, a characteristic present in "downright wrong".

dead wrong

Emphasizes the certainty of being wrong, synonymous with the strong conviction in "downright wrong".

FAQs

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

You can use "downright wrong" to strongly express that something is incorrect or unacceptable. For example: "The claim that climate change is a hoax is downright wrong."

What are some alternatives to "downright wrong"?

You can use alternatives like "absolutely incorrect", "utterly mistaken", or "patently false" depending on the context.

Is "downright wrong" formal or informal?

"Downright wrong" leans towards the informal side, though it's widely accepted. In formal writing, consider using alternatives like "categorically incorrect" or "utterly mistaken".

What's the difference between "completely wrong" and "downright wrong"?

"Downright wrong" carries a stronger emotional charge and implies a greater degree of disapproval compared to "completely wrong", which is a more neutral statement of fact.